Terms of Use

Last Updated: August 1, 2025

Welcome to ProteoIntegrator (the "Platform"), a web-based platform operated by Meritudio ("we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Platform, including any content, features, tools, and services provided through the Platform (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

1. Description of the Platform

ProteoIntegrator is a cutting-edge, web-based platform designed to simplify and enhance the analysis of multi-source proteomics data. It addresses challenges such as batch effects and missing values using advanced algorithms, including Bayesian Principal Component Analysis (BPCA) for imputation and parallelized ComBat for batch correction. The Platform supports various data types (DDA, DIA, TMT) and provides interactive visualizations for differential expression analysis, pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction networks. It is a no-code solution intended primarily for academic and research communities.

The Platform is freely available to academic users. For commercial use, you must contact us at bd@meritudio.com to discuss licensing options. A manuscript describing the Platform, titled "ProteoIntegrator: A Scalable and Integrated Platform for Robust Multi-Source Proteomics Data Harmonization and Analysis," has been submitted for publication as of August 2025, authored by researchers from ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Meritudio.

2. Eligibility and User Accounts

• Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your jurisdiction to use the Platform. The Platform is intended for users in academic, research, or approved commercial settings. Academic users may access the Platform for non-commercial purposes without charge. Commercial users must obtain prior written approval from us.
• Account Registration: To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information as necessary. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or use.
• Academic Use Requirement: If you are an academic user, you agree to cite the Platform and the associated manuscript in any publications or presentations resulting from your use of the Services. Suggested citation: "ProteoIntegrator: A Scalable and Integrated Platform for Robust Multi-Source Proteomics Data Harmonization and Analysis" (submitted August 2025, authors from ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Meritudio).

3. Intellectual Property Rights

• Ownership: The Platform, including all software, algorithms, designs, text, graphics, images, and other content (excluding User Data, as defined below), is owned by Meritudio or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes, subject to these Terms.
• Restrictions: You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on the Platform or any part thereof. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any software or algorithms used in the Platform.
• Trademarks: "ProteoIntegrator" and related logos are trademarks of Meritudio. You may not use these trademarks without our prior written consent.

4. User Data and Content

• User Data: You may upload proteomics data and other materials ("User Data") to the Platform for analysis. You retain ownership of your User Data. By uploading User Data, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, process, analyze, and display your User Data solely as necessary to provide the Services.
• Responsibility for User Data: You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to upload and use your User Data and that it does not infringe any third-party rights or violate applicable laws. You are solely responsible for the accuracy, quality, and legality of your User Data.
• Data Security and Privacy: We implement reasonable measures to protect User Data. However, you acknowledge that no system is completely secure. Our handling of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy. We do not claim ownership of User Data but may use anonymized, aggregated data derived from User Data for improving the Platform, research, or statistical purposes, provided it does not identify you or your specific data.
• Data Deletion: Upon request, we will delete your User Data, subject to any legal retention requirements.

5. Acceptable Use and Prohibited Conduct

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Uploading harmful, illegal, or infringing content.
• Attempting to interfere with the Platform's operation or security.
• Using the Platform for commercial purposes without authorization.
• Harvesting or scraping data from the Platform.
• Impersonating any person or entity.
• Violating any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights.

We reserve the right to monitor usage and take action, including suspension or termination, for violations.

6. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE ERROR-FREE, UNINTERRUPTED, OR SECURE, OR THAT RESULTS FROM ITS USE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE.

You use the Platform at your own risk. We are not responsible for any decisions or actions based on analyses performed using the Platform.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MERITUDIO AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Our total liability to you shall not exceed the amount you paid us for the Services in the preceding 12 months (which is $0 for academic users).

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Meritudio and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your User Data, or your violation of these Terms or applicable laws.

9. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, including for violations of these Terms. Upon termination, your license to use the Platform ends, and you must cease all use. Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 shall survive termination.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on the Platform or via email. Your continued use after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Shanghai, China.

12. Miscellaneous

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, the remainder shall continue in full force.
• Waiver: No waiver of any term shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver.
• Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Platform.
• Assignment: We may assign these Terms without your consent; you may not assign without our prior written consent.

13. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms or the Platform, contact us at bd@meritudio.com or visit our website for more information.