Sample metadata

Sample metadata describes each sample included in your submission. It helps researchers understand what the samples represent and makes it possible to connect relevant data files to the samples in the submission.

ImportantPublic metadata must not identify participants

Use a stable, non-identifying pseudonym for the Subject ID. Do not include a name, personal identity number, contact details, a re-identification key, or sensitive participant information. Submit sensitive information as controlled-access data instead.

Metadata fields

The table below shows the fields that can be specified for each sample. An asterisk indicates the fields that are required in submissions to FEGA Sweden.

Field name Description
Alias* The submitter’s designated name for the sample. The name must be unique within the submission account.
Title A short, informative description of the sample
Description A longer description of the sample and how it differs from other samples
Biological Sex* “female”, “male”, “hermaphrodite” or “unknown”
Subject ID* An identifier for the subject or donor of the sample
Phenotype* Phenotype or disease state relevant for using the data
BioSampleID BioSampleID, if relevant
Case Control “case”, “control”, “both” or “NA”
Organism Part Part of the organism
Cell Line Cell line

FEGA Sweden recommends using the Experimental Factor Ontology Database for describing your sample phenotypes. Whenever applicable, we also recommend using appropriate INSDC terms for missing values.