LGC Ltd of London has produced a prototype microarray quality control material which it says could lead to the first generic reference standard for use across multiple platforms and applications.
A prototype batch of the material is now available to interested laboratories for trial and feedback on the product’s applications and performance.
Microarrays have traditionally been used in laboratories for research purposes but they are now being evaluated and developed for a range of diagnostic purposes. Microarray technologies offer the potential for high throughput analysis of multiple targets. However, the high degree of systematic variability can lead to reduced assay performance, which makes data comparison difficult.
LGC’s new QC material can help to identify many of the technical variables associated with microarray experiments, from preparation through to processing and analysis of the microarrays. The company says it is also useful for optimisation and validation of array-based assays and it facilitates data comparison between experiments, platforms and laboratories.
LGC has evaluated the new material for gene expression and genotyping model array systems. However, it could be used across multiple array applications.
The company prepared and characterised this new material in its capacity as the UK’s designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and biochemical analysis. Development of the material was funded by the UK Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) through its Chemical and Biology Metrology Programme.
The material is available from LGC for a nominal cost to cover postage and packing for those labs wishing to evaluate the initial batch of the material.
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