Bioassay management explained by experts
Insights
Discover smart tips, tricks, and expert guidance that unlock the full power of PLA 3.0 and take your assays to the next level. Get quick, reliable answers to keep you informed and focused on what matters.
Explore key terms and concepts of PLA 3.0
The PLA 3.0 alphabet explains key terms and concepts that support your understanding of how PLA 3.0 works.
A
Add-ons
PLA 3.0 add-ons extend the core framework with additional analytical methods. They support tasks such as data visualization, documentation, and reporting, and help users tailor PLA 3.0 to their specific assay workflows.
B
Basic bioassay protocol
Lets you combine the results of multiple independent assay runs into reportable values. Use it to organize complex methods, manage retest scenarios, and report several products within a single assay.
C
Content editor
The Content editor opens by default when you create a document. Use it to navigate the document structure and to view or maintain document elements and document data. You can access this editor from the action bar.
D
Documents
PLA 3.0 stores all data within electronic documents to maintain completeness, accuracy, and consistency throughout the data life cycle. This structure supports reliable handling and ensures data integrity.
E
Editors
PLA 3.0 editors help you view and maintain documents. Use the Content editor to work with the document structure, and use data editors to enter observation data and set up assay layouts. You can access all editors from the action bar.
F
Framework
The PLA 3.0 framework is responsible for the integrity and reliability of measurement data. It provides features that support regulatory compliance, such as access control, data integrity, security, validation, and traceability.
G
Global roles
Global roles combine database-level tasks into permission groups and assign those to users or groups. Through global roles you control who can perform particular database tasks.
H
Hierarchy
PLA 3.0 organizes each document through a defined document structure that reflects its document type and arranges its elements in a clear hierarchy. Each element contains specific data, and together they form the complete structure.
I
Information package
Information packages support the installation and licensing of PLA 3.0. Each package is tied to a unique, 5-digit serial number and contains the PLA 3.0 license together with the license keys required for your PLA 3.0 add-ons.
J
Japanese Pharmacopoeia
Analytical compliance to various national guidances allows for global market compliance with minimized efforts. PLA 3.0 supports the Japanese Pharmacopoeia to help you meet this national standard with ease.
K
Knowledge
Knowledge is a core principle of PLA 3.0. Our software, together with the PLA 3.0 Academy and the PLA 3.0 Knowledge Center, provides the foundation on which you can build and maintain your bioassay expertise.
L
Licensing options
PLA 3.0 offers flexible licensing options to match different environments—from single users to multi-user teams. Choose between a seat license for single computers, or a concurrent use license for shared access across a network.
M
Monitoring
The Control Chart document supports monitoring of critical data attributes following USP <1010>. It includes control limits, WECO and Nelson rules, and custom rule sets. You can tailor the chart layout and choose between aggregated or external data, making it a flexible tool for continuous assay monitoring.
N
Navigator
The Navigator on the left side of the PLA 3.0 main window is your main tool for accessing and organizing your documents and folders. The top view displays your folder tree for quick navigation, while the detail view shows the contents of the selected folder and lets you work with your documents and templates.
O
Observation group ID
Each assay element has a unique observation group ID assigned, linking the assay element to its respective observation data in the data editors. To switch plate positions for your samples, simply reassign the respective assay elements to a different observation group ID.
P
Preparation schemes
Preparation schemes are your central tool for efficiently assigning settings to assay elements. Define doses and dimensions of your treatments once and use the setup for as many assay elements as you require. Entering redundant information is not necessary.
Q
Quantitative response assays
Use Quantitative response assay documents to calculate the potencies of test samples relative to an established standard. You can also use them to determine absolute potencies based on stock solutions or raw materials.
R
Response data processing
Use response data processing to configure the processing of response data, for example, to subtract the absorbance of blank wells or to divide response values by the mean absorbance of maximum binding wells.
S
Security contexts
Security contexts define who can perform which document-related actions within specific areas of a PLA 3.0 database. They support you in ensuring that users only interact with data appropriate to their role, project, or responsibility.
T
Templates
Let you simplify tasks, standardize processes, and improve data security. Define document structures and initial values for documents, and control who can view and edit document sections and individual elements within documents.
U
Update mode
A central setting in the context of data aggregation, the update mode controls how PLA 3.0 transfers data from a list of source documents into the target document, and how it updates the data provided by the source documents.
V
Visualization
Visualization during equivalence margin development supports you in gaining a better understanding of your test strategy behavior and whether you need to make adjustments before applying it in production assays.
W
WECO rules
Let you detect out-of-control or non-random conditions on control charts, based on deviations from the mean. They are also capable of detecting patterns or trends. For example, you can apply Nelson rule 3 to detect when six (or more) points in a row are continually increasing (or decreasing).
X
X-Axis
When setting up control charts, you can use events to set a marker on the x-axis of your chart. Events can be anything you want to visualize in a chart, such as the replacement of a reagent, an adjustment to an SOP, or the recalibration of an instrument.
Y
Your data
The PLA 3.0 framework protects your data by supporting data integrity, traceability, and controlled access. These framework features help ensure that your analytical workflows remain consistent, transparent, and reliable.
Z
Zoom on learning
PLA 3.0 supports continuous learning beyond daily work. With structured resources in the PLA 3.0 Academy and the Knowledge Center, you can deepen your understanding and build expertise step by step, now and in the year ahead.
A
Add-ons
PLA 3.0 add-ons extend the core framework with additional analytical methods. They support tasks such as data visualization, documentation, and reporting, and help users tailor PLA 3.0 to their specific assay workflows.
B
Basic bioassay protocol
Lets you combine the results of multiple independent assay runs into reportable values. Use it to organize complex methods, manage retest scenarios, and report several products within a single assay.
C
Content editor
The Content editor opens by default when you create a document. Use it to navigate the document structure and to view or maintain document elements and document data. You can access this editor from the action bar.
D
Documents
PLA 3.0 stores all data within electronic documents to maintain completeness, accuracy, and consistency throughout the data life cycle. This structure supports reliable handling and ensures data integrity.
E
Editors
PLA 3.0 editors help you view and maintain documents. Use the Content editor to work with the document structure, and use data editors to enter observation data and set up assay layouts. You can access all editors from the action bar.
F
Framework
The PLA 3.0 framework is responsible for the integrity and reliability of measurement data. It provides features that support regulatory compliance, such as access control, data integrity, security, validation, and traceability.
G
Global roles
Global roles combine database-level tasks into permission groups and assign those to users or groups. Through global roles you control who can perform particular database tasks.
H
Hierarchy
PLA 3.0 organizes each document through a defined document structure that reflects its document type and arranges its elements in a clear hierarchy. Each element contains specific data, and together they form the complete structure.
I
Information package
Information packages support the installation and licensing of PLA 3.0. Each package is tied to a unique, 5-digit serial number and contains the PLA 3.0 license together with the license keys required for your PLA 3.0 add-ons.
J
Japanese Pharmacopoeia
Analytical compliance to various national guidances allows for global market compliance with minimized efforts. PLA 3.0 supports the Japanese Pharmacopoeia to help you meet this national standard with ease.
K
Knowledge
Knowledge is a core principle of PLA 3.0. Our software, together with the PLA 3.0 Academy and the PLA 3.0 Knowledge Center, provides the foundation on which you can build and maintain your bioassay expertise.
L
Licensing options
PLA 3.0 offers flexible licensing options to match different environments—from single users to multi-user teams. Choose between a seat license for single computers, or a concurrent use license for shared access across a network.
M
Monitoring
The Control Chart document supports monitoring of critical data attributes following USP <1010>. It includes control limits, WECO and Nelson rules, and custom rule sets. You can tailor the chart layout and choose between aggregated or external data, making it a flexible tool for continuous assay monitoring.
N
Navigator
The Navigator on the left side of the PLA 3.0 main window is your main tool for accessing and organizing your documents and folders. The top view displays your folder tree for quick navigation, while the detail view shows the contents of the selected folder and lets you work with your documents and templates.
O
Observation group ID
Each assay element has a unique observation group ID assigned, linking the assay element to its respective observation data in the data editors. To switch plate positions for your samples, simply reassign the respective assay elements to a different observation group ID.
P
Preparation schemes
Preparation schemes are your central tool for efficiently assigning settings to assay elements. Define doses and dimensions of your treatments once and use the setup for as many assay elements as you require. Entering redundant information is not necessary.
Q
Quantitative response assays (ready)
Use Quantitative response assay documents to calculate the
potencies of test samples relative to an established standard. You can also use them
to determine absolute potencies based on stock solutions or raw materials.
R
Response data processing (ready)
Use response data processing to configure the processing of response
data, for example, to subtract the absorbance of blank wells or to divide response
values by the mean absorbance of maximum binding wells.
S
Security contexts (ready)
Security contexts define who can perform which document-related actions within specific areas of a PLA 3.0 database. They support you in ensuring that users only interact with data appropriate to their role, project, or responsibility.
T
Templates (ready)
Let you simplify tasks, standardize processes, and improve data security. Define document structures and initial values for documents, and control who can view and edit document sections and individual elements within documents.
U
Update mode (ready)
A central setting in the context of data aggregation, the update mode controls how PLA 3.0 transfers data from a list of source documents into the target document, and how it updates the data provided by the source documents.
V
Visualization (ready)
Visualization during equivalence margin development supports you in gaining a better
understanding of your test strategy behavior and whether you need to make
adjustments before applying it in production assays.
W
WECO rules (ready)
Let you detect out-of-control or non-random conditions on control charts, based on deviations from the mean. They are also capable of detecting patterns or trends. For example, you can apply Nelson rule 3 to detect when six (or more) points in a row are continually increasing (or decreasing).
X
X-Axis (ready)
When setting up control charts, you can use events to set a marker on the x-axis of your chart. Events can be anything you want to visualize in a chart, such as the replacement of a reagent, an adjustment to an SOP, or the recalibration of an instrument.
Y
Your data
The PLA 3.0 framework protects your data by supporting data integrity, traceability, and controlled access. These framework features help ensure that your analytical workflows remain consistent, transparent, and reliable.
Z
Zoom on learning
PLA 3.0 supports continuous learning beyond daily work. With structured resources in the PLA 3.0 Academy and the Knowledge Center, you can deepen your understanding and build expertise step by step, now and in the year ahead.
Automating a bioassay workflow with PLA 3.0
With PLA 3.0, you can move beyond setup to start harvesting insights: calculate reportable values, compare results across runs, and automate your workflows for consistency and efficiency. In this three-part series, we'll show you how to:
-
Set up assays that generate analyzable data.
-
Combine results from multiple assay runs to calculate the reportable value.
-
Automate repeatable tasks using protocols.
Each installment includes background information, expert tips, and step-by-step guidance for getting more out of your assay data.
Need additional support?
Visit our Support Portal at support.biossay.de or send an e-mail to support@bioassay.de. We are happy to support you.
Looking for more information?
Visit our Knowledge Center at help.bioassay.de. Discover solutions to everyday questions and gain insights on use cases, concepts, and definitions.
Want to try out or buy PLA 3.0?
Visit our Website at bioassay.de. Get detailed information, request a free trial, and discuss licensing options with our team.
The PLA 3.0 Academy is part of the learning and support landscape for the PLA 3.0 software product, alongside the PLA 3.0 Knowledge Center and the PLA 3.0 Support Portal.
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