The user center allows the user to more closely track the real-time status of each submission, and to control the status of each data submission. The user center summarizes all current and past data submissions, and allows the user to change the status of a submission in process, and to initiate new data submissions.

The user controls the status of each submission with various action buttons, which are defined below:

• Release: Once the data submission has been reviewed and approved by IEDB staff, the submitter will receive a proof showing how the data will appear in the IEDB. By clicking the release button, the submitter authorizes the release of the data to the publicly visible IEDB database.


• Reject*: Once the data submission has been reviewed and approved by IEDB staff, the submitter will receive a proof showing how the data will appear in the IEDB. By clicking the reject button, the submitter withholds the release of the data to the publicly visible IEDB database.


• Modify*: Once the data submission has been reviewed and approved by IEDB staff, the submitter will receive a proof showing how the data will appear in the IEDB. By clicking the modify button, the submitter withholds the release of the data to the publicly visible IEDB database pending modification of the data.


• On hold: Once the data submission has been reviewed and approved by IEDB staff, the submitter will receive a proof showing how the data will appear in the IEDB. By clicking the on hold button, the submitter withholds the release of the data to the publicly visible IEDB database until a future date. The data will not be released until the submitter removes the hold.


• Remove hold: This action allows the submitter to remove the hold placed on the data submission. Note: submitter will need to release the data after removing the hold.


• Send Comment: Once the data submission has been made publicly visible, the submitter can provide the IEDB with special instructions by utilizing the send comment button.

*These actions require the submitter to provide descriptive comments/directions for IEDB staff.

The DST Wizard provides submitters with an on screen field-by-field guided submission experience. The user will be asked questions about the nature of their data, and their answers will be used to fill-out the data fields required for a valid data submission. The Wizard is recommended for first-time submitters, and for smaller data submissions consisting of fewer than 10 epitopes and 10 assays.

The DST Wizard provides the user with the option to export all data into preformatted spreadsheets. This function is available in the lower left hand corner of the Wizard interface, and is called "download as spreadsheet files." This enables one to manipulate or augment the data submission more efficiently. The finalized spreadsheets can then be directly submitted via the spreadsheet submission option available in the user center. Please note, to submit the exported spreadsheet files, the user's name must be removed from the file names (Example: Submission_JOHN should be changed to Submission, and TcellDirect_JOHN should be changed to TcellDirect).

If you are already logged in, click here to directly access the DST Wizard.

The DST text submission function is designed to facilitate the process of data submission to the IEDB (the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource) using text files. As the first step, the submitter is provided with tab-delimited template files corresponding to the various types of data that can be submitted (MHC binding, MHC Ligand Elution, T cell, B cell), as well as a submission file where important submission details are reported. These files serve as data entry forms where the submitter formats the data according to guidelines. All the preformatted template files can be download from the download template files link. Upon completion, the submitter then submits the validated files to the IEDB, where IEDB personnel review and transfer the data to the IEDB website where it will be publicly accessible. To begin the data submission process, please follow the steps below:

• STEP 1: Contact IEDB staff (help@iedb.org) to obtain an authorized user account.


• STEP 2: Follow the "download template files" link to download the template files and to access the field-by-field guides.


• STEP 3: Complete the submission template file



This file is intended for the submitter to provide details about the submission, including the submitter's name, the authors of the submission and their affiliations, as well as the submission title and abstract. Completion and upload of the submission template files is required, regardless of the type of data being submitted.

• STEP 4: Choose the appropriate data template(s)


• MHC Binding:

  Choose this template to submit data from experiments that measure peptide binding to cell bound or purified MHC molecules.

• MHC Elution:

  This template should be utilized to report experimental data in which the peptides or ligands are eluted from a cell or purified MHC. The peptide or ligand is then detected in the eluate through sequencing (Mass Spectrometry/Edman Degradation) or by a specific T cell with a known recognition of that peptide. These methods are used in order to demonstrate that cells will naturally process an antigen and present the epitope on the cell surface or bound to a relevant receptor.

• T Cell - Directly Assayed Ex Vivo:

  Used to report epitope data in which T cells taken from a host are exposed to antigen ex vivo for the purpose of the assay. No in vitro stimulation of the T cells is performed prior to the assay.

• T Cell - Primary Induction In Vitro:

  Used to report epitope data in which T cells taken from a naïve host are stimulated in vitro with antigen, and then assayed for a response. Therefore, the T cells are primed in vitro, rather than in vivo.

• T Cell - Restimulation In Vitro:

  Used to report epitope data in which T cells taken from a primed host are restimulated in vitro with antigen for a certain period of time, after which cells are washed and antigen is added again for the purpose of assay.

• B Cell:

  Choose this template to submit data from epitope-related antibody binding experiments.

• B Cell Discontinuous:

  Choose this template to submit data from discontinuous epitope-related antibody binding experiments.

• B Cell Non-peptidic:

  Choose this template to submit data from non-peptidic epitope-related antibody binding experiments.

• STEP 5: Edit the template(s)



The template consists of a series of IEDB data fields. If the template file is being edited in Microsoft Excel (recommended) or a similar application, the format will consist of a series of labeled columns, each representing a single field in the IEDB. The submitter then populates the fields with data according to the specifications described in the field-by-field guide provided for each template.

Please note that the templates already have information contained within the first three rows. This information represents the data field label (first row), an optional or required flag that is described below (second row), and finally an example data value for each column (third row). The data in these three rows should not be edited or removed. Therefore, the submission should be completed with data beginning in row #4.

For data fields that are restricted to a list of possible selections, submitters must copy and paste the desired selection from the list provided in order to avoid processing errors. Also, please note that while some fields have mandatory data requirements, others can be completed at the discretion of the submitter. Accordingly, each field is designated either "required" or "optional" in the field-by-field guides.

When using the field-by-field guide to complete the data entry process, please note that each successive row of data represents an epitope and its corresponding assay. Therefore, the epitope-related data values in each row will be redundant when multiple assays are reported for a given epitope.

• STEP 6: Upload template file(s)



Click "Spreadsheet Submission" from left side menu bar/From the User Center, click the "New Data Submission" link to upload the completed template files to the IEDB server. The "submission" template file, along with at least one data template file, is the minimum upload requirements. You will receive onscreen confirmation of the successful upload.

• STEP 7: Validate template file(s)



Use the "validation" button to check the uploaded files. You will receive onscreen confirmation of file validity, or you will receive a link to an error report identifying invalid data or omissions. Please revise, delete, and replace the invalid file. Your revised file can then be uploaded following the instructions in step 6.

• STEP 8: Submit template file(s)



Once your files have successfully passed validation, click the "submit" button to complete the submission process. You will receive an official IEDB submission ID number that should be kept for future reference. At this point, your data will not yet be publicly viewable in the IEDB website. Your files will be reviewed by IEDB staff to ensure their completeness, and you will receive email correspondence notifying you either that the submission data needs revisions, or is ready to be made publicly viewable. You will be able to track the status of each data submission in the User Center. Only after all files have received IEDB staff approval, as well as written approval from you to proceed, will the data be made publicly visible. At this point, you may opt to hold the data from public view pending publication, or for other reasons. Upon approval, you will also be issued an official IEDB submission ID number.

If you are already logged in, click here to directly use text submission function.

Data submission can be made via XML file. This option is recommended for those who have knowledge of XML file generation. The IEDB XML Schema can be obtained from here

If you are already logged in, click here to directly use XML submission function.