Figure 2.

(a) Import a raw counts table generated by high-throughput miRNA sequencing of human plasma libraries. These data will be filtered according to user-specified requirements (n = number of samples in the smallest group of interest) and normalised using the Trimmed Mean of M (TMM) method [22]. (b) The distribution difference between the background and signature miRNA counts is calculated on an individual sample basis allowing the user to upload one to many samples as required. In the case of a priori knowledge of miRNA differentially abundant between a tested condition/control paradigm, the user may choose to reduce the signature miRNA such that they do not include miRNA of interest (recommended). (c) Graphical results in the form of a density plot of individual distributions (i, ii) and a histogram of combined distribution differences (iv) are provided along with a combined table of results (iii). The user is provided with both a metric describing the amount of haemolysis and, if appropriate, a recommendation of caution (iii).