qPCR NEWS - September 2010 - focus on MIQE guidelines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear researcher, dear Gene Quantification page reader, Our newsletter informs about the latest news in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR and qRT-PCR), which are compiled and summarised on the Gene Quantification homepage. The focus of this newsletter issue is: - The MIQE guidelines - all NEWS and Press releases - qPCR Symposium USA in November 2010 - qPCR Application Workshops - and more ... ... ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The MIQE Guidelines - Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments Stephen A. Bustin, Vladimir Benes, Jeremy A. Garson, Jan Hellemans, Jim Huggett, Mikael Kubista, Reinhold Mueller, Tania Nolan, Michael W. Pfaffl, Gregory L. Shipley, Jo Vandesompele, and Carl T. Wittwer Clinical Chemistry 2009, 55(4): 611-622 BACKGROUND: Currently, a lack of consensus exists on how best to perform and interpret quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of sufficient experimental detail in many publications, which impedes a reader's ability to evaluate critically the quality of the results presented or to repeat the experiments. CONTENT: The Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real- Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines target the reliability of results to help ensure the integrity of the scientific literature, promote consistency between laboratories, and increase experimental transparency. MIQE is a set of guidelines that describe the minimum information necessary for evaluating qPCR experiments. Included is a checklist to accompany the initial submission of a manuscript to the publisher. By providing all relevant experimental conditions and assay characteristics, reviewers can assess the validity of the protocols used. Full disclosure of all reagents, sequences, and analysis methods is necessary to enable other investigators to reproduce results. MIQE details should be published either in abbreviated form or as an online supplement. SUMMARY: Following these guidelines will encourage better experimental practice, allowing more reliable and unequivocal interpretation of qPCR results. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why the need for qPCR publication guidelines? - The case for MIQE Stephen A. Bustin Methods. 2010 April in qPCR special issue - The ongoing evolution of qPCR Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has matured from a labour- and time-intensive, low throughput qualitative gel-based technique to an easily automated, rapid, high throughput quantitative technology. Real- time quantitative PCR (qPCR) has become the benchmark technology for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids in a research, diagnostic, forensic and biotechnology setting. However, ill-assorted pre-assay conditions, poor assay design and inappropriate data analysis methodologies have resulted in the recurrent publication of data that are at best inconsistent and at worst irrelevant and even misleading. Furthermore, there is a lamentable lack of transparency of reporting, with the "Materials and Methods" sections of many publications, especially those with high impact factors, not fit for the purpose of evaluating the quality of any reported qPCR data. This poses a challenge to the integrity of the scientific literature, with serious consequences not just for basic research, but potentially calamitous implications for drug development and disease monitoring. These issues are being addressed by a set of guidelines that propose a minimum standard for the provision of information for qPCRexperiments ("MIQE"). MIQE aims to restructure to-day's free-for-all qPCR methods into a more consistent format that will encourage detailed auditing of experimental detail, data analysis and reporting principles. General implementation of these guidelines is an important requisite for the maturing of qPCR into a robust, accurate and reliable nucleic acid quantification technology. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIQE precis: Practical implementation of minimum standard guidelines for fluorescence-based quantitative real-time PCR experiments Stephen A Bustin, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Jim Huggett, Rolf Jaggi, Frederick SB Kibenge, Pal A Olsvik, Louis C Penning email and Stefan Toegel BMC Molecular Biology 2010 - Published: 21 September 2010 The conclusions of thousands of peer-reviewed publications rely on data obtained using fluorescence-based quantitative real-time PCR technology. However, the inadequate reporting of experimental detail, combined with the frequent use of flawed protocols is leading to the publication of papers that may not be technically appropriate. We take the view that this problem requires the delineation of a more transparent and comprehensive reporting policy from scientific journals. This editorial aims to provide practical guidance for the incorporation of absolute minimum standards encompassing the key assay parameters for accurate design, documentation and reporting of qPCR experiments (MIQE precis) and guidance on the publication of pure 'reference gene' articles. http://MIQE.gene-quantification.info/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIQE PRESS REVIEW on http://MIQE-press.gene-quantification.info/ Making the most of MIQE BMC Molecular Biology 2010, 11:74 The Editorial Board of BMC Molecular Biology endorse a new set of essential MIQE-light guidelines for the reporting of quantitative PCR data: "MIQE precis", and provide guidance for the suitability of pure reference gene papers to the journal. MIQE precis: with reference to reference genes BioMed Central Blog - Tuesday Sep 21, 2010 Genes that maintain constant expression under a variety of circumstances are known as ‘reference genes’. They are vital for researchers who need to quantify gene expression changes in other genes and need a ‘reference point’ against which to do so. BMC Molecular Biology, has to date published around 200 reference gene- related papers from researchers working in such diverse models as peaches, sharks, barnacles and glioblastoma to name but a few. However, to be a true reference gene you need to fulfil a certain list of criteria and the research field is now united in requesting that all work be performed to the same accuracy and in accordance with recommended guidelines. The Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines were launched over a year ago by an international team of researchers. The aim of these guidelines was to enable the benchmark technology for measuring gene expression (quantitative PCR - qPCR) to become standardised when reported in research papers. The MIQE guidelines advise on good assay design and appropriate data analyses for nucleic acid detection and quantification. BioMed Central supports and promotes initiatives aimed at improving the reporting of biomedical research, and refers authors to the MIBBI Portal (of which MIQE is part of) for reporting biological and biomedical research. Whilst some authors have included MIQE checklists as supplemental files with their work (for example here), there has been some debate as to the utility and ease in doing this in all cases. After working with several Editorial Board Members from BMC Molecular Biology, we propose that all researchers wishing to publish qPCR work do so by adhering to our simpler and more abridged 'light' guidelines – MIQE précis. We also propose that the majority of reference gene papers are no longer suitable for publication as ‘pure reference gene papers’, but this information will need to be incorporated as part of a larger study. Alternatively, authors may publish these more incremental (but still potentially useful) pure reference gene articles in BMC Research Notes to contribute to our topical series: “Quantitative Real Time PCR normalization and optimization” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIQE WEBINAR The Future of qPCR: Best practices, Standardization, and the MIQE Guidelines Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 12 noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, 4 p.m. GMT Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has emerged as a powerful tool in molecular biology laboratories, both in research and in diagnostic settings. Even as qPCR grows in popularity, it is being recognized that there are some challenges associated with the technology, particularly with respect to reproducibility within and between laboratories. Fortunately, many of these limitations can be addressed through a standardized set of best practices. Using the recently published MIQE guidelines as a foundation, our expert panel will address the best practices of qPCR, with the goal of providing researchers with more consistent and reliable data. During the webinar, the panelists will: provide an overview of the MIQE guidelines address qPCR applications and primary challenges outline best practices and assay design to get the best out of your qPCR describe the essential quality control steps, including nucleic acid quantification answer your questions during the live Q&A session Participants: Stephen A. Bustin, Ph.D.; Queen Mary, University of London; London, UK Gregory L. Shipley, Ph.D.; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Houston, TX Manju R. Sethi; Thermo Fisher Scientific; Wilmington, DE and much more MIQE NEWS on http://MIQE-press.gene-quantification.info/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- qPCR Symposium USA 1. - 4 November 2010 San Francisco Bay Area, Millbrae, CA , USA Clarion Hotel San Fransisco Airport http://www.qPCRsymposium.com On behalf of Scientific Committee it is my pleasure to invite you to attend 4th qPCR Symposium USA from November 1-4, 2010 at Millbrae, CA (very close to San Francisco International Airport). We are inviting scientific papers to present during the Symposium. The scientific sessions will be held on November 1-2, 2010. Please email your abstract to => presentat...@qpcrsymposium.com to be reviewed by the committee. The Symposium features keynote speech, scientific sessions, poster presentations, industrial exhibition, courses and networking events. Scientific Committee Members: - Stephen A Bustin, Ph.D. - Gregory L. Shipley, Ph.D. - Michael W. Pfaffl, Ph.D. - Mikael Kubista Ph.D. - Kevin L. Knudtson, Ph.D - Prasad Jaladi, MS The focus of the Symposium is on: - Preanalytics – Sample preparation, extraction and purification - Standardization and quality control - High throughput qPCR – digital PCR, integration, workflow - High Resolution Melting (HRM) – Epigenetics, mutation analysis, copy number variation - Molecular diagnostics of complex diseases – detection and profiling of tumor cells - Single-cell and subcellular expression profiling - Non coding RNAs - qPCR experimental design - qPCR data mining - Next generation sequencing techniques – complement or competitor to qPCR? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BioEPS GmbH - qPCR Application Workshops Life Science is still a growing sector and new methods and technologies are continously developed. Therefore permanent training and education becomes so important. With our specific course program we are offering a range of high- quality course modules, in cooperation with different companies to give a general and independent overview of existing qPCR technologies and systems. Our course issues are based on skilled know-how from own research studies and publications. Our aim is to point out a critical way of thinking to increase the quality and outcome of experimental data. All courses are held regularly in Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany, in German and English language. Further customized workshops and specialized trainings will be held as well across Europe and world-wide. Workshops are powered by BioEPS GmbH, located at the campus of the Technical University of Munich, in Freising-Weihenstephan, very close to the Munich Airport (MUC). For more information and registration, please see our web page => http://workshops.gene-quantification.info/ Course Occasions 2010: 3-day qPCR Basic Module 2-day BioStatistics & Expression Profiling Module 3-day single-cell qPCR 2-day microRNA qPCR 1-day HRM 2-das qPCR-R data analysis NEW ! 1-day Project Management NEW ! 2-day Quality Management NEW ! Course dates 2010: 4 - 6 October 2010 (E) 3-day qPCR Basic Module (Mon. - Wed.) 7 October 2010 (E) 1-day HRM Module (Thu.) 11 - 12 October 2010 (E) 2-day qPC-R - data analysis using R packages (Mon.-Tue.) 18 - 20 October 2010 (E) 3-day single-cell & qPCR (Mon. - Wed.) 8 - 9 November 2010 (E) 2-day microRNA & qPCR (Mon.-Tue.) 29 November - 1 December 2010 (E) 3-day Experiment Design & qPCR data processing (Mon. - Wed.) 2 - 3 December 2010 (E) 2-day BioStatistics Module (Thu. - Fri.) Download course brochure 2010 => http://www.gene-quantification.de/bioeps-course-programm-2010.pdf Register here => http://site.bioeps.com/index.php?option=com_seminar&Itemid=6 Access to our workshops => http://www.gene-quantification.de/bioeps-access.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forward Please send the qPCR NEWS to further scientists and friends who are interested in qPCR ! Best regards, Michael W. Pfaffl responsible Editor of the Gene Quantification Pages http://www.gene-quantification.info -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If this newsletter is not displayed correctly by your email client, please use following link: http://qPCRnews.gene-quantification.info/ The qPCR NEWS and the Gene Quantification Pages are educational sites with the only purpose of facilitating access to qPCR related information on the internet. The qPCR NEWS and the Gene Quantification Pages are edited by Michael W. Pfaffl. Copyright © 2005 - 2010 All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or transfer of this message or its contents, in any medium, is strictly prohibited. Disclaimer & Copyrights are displayed on the homepage www.gene-quantification.com To subscribe or change your e-mail address in qPCR NEWS, and if you would like to receive future issues FREE of charge, please send an e- mail with the subject SUBSCRIBE to mailto:newslet...@gene- quantification.info?subject=SUBSCRIBE _______________________________________________ Methods mailing list Methods@net.bio.net http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods