When setting up the annotations for an experiment request, you may find that a sample characteristic for which you would like to enter annotations is not included in the list of sample characteristics provided on the Annotations tab. The process for adding a new characteristic to this list is simple.

To add a new sample characteristic for annotation:

Start on the Annotations tab of the New Experiment Request module. This window is the part of the much longer step-by-step process of submitting a microarray hybridization request — see Submitting a Microarray Hybridization Request for a description of this process. This task will normally be performed as you reach the Annotations tab within this process.

Click on the New/Edit… hyperlink beneath the sample characteristics list on that tab.

The Dictionary Editor will open with the Sample Annotations folder selected.

Click on the + button above the dictionaries list.

The right side of the dictionary editor will change to display the dictionary item details editor.

Enter the appropriate information for the sample characteristic you want to add.

Click on the Save button.