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The Metrology for Gene Expression Team is affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is a non-regulatory agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The work at NIST is focused on supporting U.S. innovation by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security. Our lab focuses on the development of a technical infrastructure for gene expression, including methods, materials, and standards. We are currently researching the following areas: spike-in control materials for use in assessing the technical performance of gene expression assays; characterization of the sources of variability in gene expression assays, such as evaluation of interlaboratory variation and batch effects; and guidance for instrument qualification of microarray scanners (work that led to the article described herein). With the proper material and method, microarray users can be assured that the instrument is performing the same from day to day, and thereby gain greater confidence in the experimental results.
The Technique
The goal of our lab is to develop a technical infrastructure to support the measurement needs of the gene expression community. The development of a method for qualification of the microarray scanner is a fundamental component of those measurement needs. Due to the complexity of microarray experiments, sources of variability are numerous, ranging from uncertainty in the pipetting volume to questions regarding the RNA integrity to performance of the microarray itself. The instrument used to scan the arrays is an oft-overlooked source of variability. With the use of photostable material and a technique for tracking instrument performance, the user can be assured that the instrument is performing consistently.
See “Use of standard reference material 2242, relative qualification correction standard for raman spectroscopy, for microarray scanner validation” on page 143.
