> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.imaps.goodwright.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.imaps.goodwright.com/fundamentals/samples.md). # Samples In Bioinformatics, typically analysis looks like a tree, where if you trace the analysis back it all originates from one original raw data file that came from the actual wet lab experiment. In iMaps these initial raw data files, along with their associated metadata, are used to initialise Samples. Samples can be thought of as a way of keeping all the data from a single sequencing experiment together, and easily traced back to its source. Any Data generated from Sample data will itself belong to that Sample, so you can easily see at a glance the data belonging to a given experiment. iMaps Samples contain metadata describing the scientist who performed the experiment, some experimental conditions, and quality checks of the original file. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.imaps.goodwright.com/fundamentals/samples.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.