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IC50 Calculator

IC50 represents the concentration at which a substance exerts half of its maximal inhibitory effect. This value is typically used to characterize an antagonist of a biological process (ex. phosphorylation). In pharmacology, it is an important measure of potency for a given agent. Traditionally, this value is expressed as a molar concentration.

This calculator generates an IC50 value typically thought of as the relative IC50. For technical assistance on using this calculator, please contact websupport@aatbio.com.

How to use this tool

1. Paste experimental data into the box on the right. Data can be copied directly from Excel columns. Data can also be comma-separated, tab-separated or space-separated values. If entering data manually, only enter one X-Value per line.

Replicates can be graphed simultaneously. Graph will generate error bars based on the standard error of the mean (SEM). Simply paste or enter all data columns to begin. Format should be as follows:

ConcentrationResponse 1Response 2...
C1R11R21...
C2R12R22...
C3R13R23...
............

Users can graph up to three data sets on the same graph for comparison purposes. To add a new data set , press the "+" tab above the data entry area.Data sets can be renamed by double clicking the tab. Each dataset will generate a corresponding IC50 value as well as the equation for the best fit line.

2. Verify your data is accurate in the table that appears.

3. Press the "Calculate IC50" button to display results, including calculations and graph.


Data Entry

+



Process data

Additional Information

The Quest Graph™ IC50 Calculator attempts to model an experimental set using a four parameter logistic regression model, so called because it has four key parameters in an equation of the form:

Y = Min +
Max − Min
1 + (
X
IC50
)
Hill coefficient

This model typically resolves as a sigmoid function, or "S"-shaped curve. For biological promotion, the Hill coefficient of the equation will be (-) negative, with the slope of the curve rising ("S"). For biological inhibition, the Hill coefficient of the equation will be (+) positive, with the slope of the curve falling ("Ƨ").

With regards to IC50, the sigmoid function itself is a special case of the log-logistic distribution, which is part of a broader family of logistic distributions and functions. In contrast to standard logistic distributions, however, a primary distinction of this calculator is that it does not necessitate prior normalization of data, nor does it enforce these boundaries in the modeling of an experimental set. That is to say, in a standard logistic distribution, the response values (Y) range from 0 to 1 probability values. This is typically what is seen in probit/logit analysis and what is commonly used when modeling population survival rates. In this calculator, response values can be any positive real number, which may result in regression models which do not adhere to the 0 to 1 logistic distribution boundaries. This is especially the case where the controls of an experimental set do not make clear the upper and lower bounds of the data. In such cases, it is not uncommon to generate a regression model which extends far into the negative Y-axis or rises exponentially.

Because negative response values are typically incoherent in biological contexts, it is often desirable to analytical restrict regression models to the positive response domain. This can be achieved computational by fixing the minimum response value to zero. This reduces the four parameter logistic model into a three parameter logistic model with the simplified equation as follows:

Y =
Max
1 + (
X
IC50
)
Hill coefficient

With this form, the regression model has a lower-bounds fixed at zero, eliminating any models which may otherwise extend into the negative response domain.

There are two final points to make about this calculator. The first is that the four parameter logistic curve is a symmetric regression model around the inflection point, that is, the IC50. Roughly translated, this implies that the shape of the sigmoid function on one side of the inflection point will mirror that of the other side. In order to model an experimental set which is asymmetric in nature, a five parameter logistic curve is required. Second, it is inadequate to utilize R2 when discussing the goodness of fit of a four parameter regression model. As has been demonstrated in several papers, R2 can be used when describing linear regression models, but fails to capture the degree of noise and variability in non-linear models.

For additional reading, please see the following:

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References

This online tool may be cited as follows

MLA

"Quest Graph™ IC50 Calculator." AAT Bioquest, Inc.9 Jun2023https://www.aatbio.com/tools/ic50-calculator.

APA

AAT Bioquest, Inc. (2023June 9). Quest Graph™ IC50 Calculator. AAT Bioquest. https://www.aatbio.com/tools/ic50-calculator.

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