Hi, i’m working with metaboanalyst for a project in which i would like to compare the metabolites (analyzed with NMR) of a single individual extrapolated in different times (Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months) form different locations. I managed to input the data correctly into metaboanalyst (I think) but only adding all the location comparisons (location A, B and C). The problem is i would like to compare a single location through time, for example location A at Baseline, 6 months and 12 months comparing the nearest two. I tried to do that but the software allows only for a minimum of 3 samples per group, which i don’t have, i have just one per location per time. I’m using statistical analysis one factor. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you
Not sure I understand correctly about your data.
… the software allows only for a minimum of 3 samples per group, which i don’t have, i have just one per location per time
All statistics require some replications in order to compute summary (mean, variance, etc). Maybe you can use the Statistical Analysis [metadata data] module - I assume at least one factor (location, time) have some replicates (separately). If not, you have to fake (insert) a primary factor to upload;
If you can upload but with very small sample (replicates), first try “visual / descriptive approach” using unsupervised approach (not formal statistical comparison, which is supervised). For instance, PCA and heatmap can be used to visualize and discover the main patterns and major changes in the data. From here, you can decide what is the next step.