BCA Assay Analysis Script

This Python script is designed to simplify the analysis of protein concentration using the Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) assay method. It performs automatic calculations, generates a standard curve, and calculates sample concentrations based on the standard curve.

Overview

This script performs the following functions:

1. Blank Subtraction: Automatically subtracts the blank reading from all other readings.
2. Standard Curve Creation: Calculates mean absorbance for provided standards and creates a standard curve.
3. Sample Concentration Calculation: Determines the concentrations of unknown samples from the standard curve.

Preparing Your Dataset

Your dataset must be organized with clear column headings as follows:

Blank	0.05g/l	0.1g/l	0.2g/l	0.4g/l	Sample1	Sample2	SampleX...
0.123	0.234	0.345	0.456	0.567	0.678	0.789	0.890
...	...	...	...	...	...	...	...

• Columns must exactly match: "Blank", "0.05g/l", "0.1g/l", "0.2g/l", "0.4g/l", and several samples with labels such as "Sample1", "Sample2", etc.
• Each row represents independent replicate readings.

Installation and Setup

Step 1: Clone Repository

git clone <repository_url>
cd BCA_Assay

Step 2: Create Virtual Environment

• On Windows:

python -m venv env

• On macOS/Linux:

python3 -m venv env

Step 3: Activate Virtual Environment

• On Windows (PowerShell):

.\env\Scripts\Activate.ps1

• On Windows (cmd.exe):

.\env\Scripts\activate.bat

• On macOS/Linux:

source env/bin/activate

Step 4: Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Running the Analysis

Execute the script using Python:

python BCA_Assay_GUI.py

• A file dialog will appear. Select your dataset file (supported formats: .xlsx or .csv).
• The script will perform calculations, generate a standard curve, and output:
  • logbook.txt: A text file containing detailed statistical summaries.
  • BCA_Graph.jpg: An image file of the standard curve with data points.
  • logbook.pdf: A complete PDF report containing all results, graphs, and analysis details.

Terminal Output Explained

Upon running, the script will:

• Display columns detected from your dataset.
• Calculate and print means for the standards and samples.
• Show blank-adjusted absorbance values.
• Confirm successful generation of:
  • The standard curve.
  • The logbook text file.
  • The standard curve plot image.
  • The final PDF report.

Logic and Background

The BCA assay calculates protein concentrations based on a standard curve generated from known protein concentrations and their absorbance values. This script automates:

• Blank Subtraction: Adjusts all readings by subtracting the mean absorbance of the blank wells.
• Standard Curve Creation: Uses regression analysis to generate a standard curve based on provided standard concentrations.
• Concentration Calculation: Employs the standard curve to calculate unknown sample concentrations.

This approach ensures accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility in your experimental analyses.

Directory Structure

BCA_Assay/
├── BCA_Assay_GUI.py
├── requirements.txt
├── README.md
├── logbook.txt
├── BCA_Graph.jpg
└── logbook.pdf

Requirements

• Python 3.8 or higher
• pandas
• numpy
• matplotlib
• statsmodels
• fpdf

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For additional help or feature requests, contact the maintainer or submit an issue to the repository.