UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINARS
Web: http://www.um.edu.mt/events/scisem/
Email: scisem@um.edu.mt
Abstract form
Title: The importance of the implementation of MIQE guidelines for
attaining reliable RT-qPCR study data.
Presenter: Prof. Jo Vandesompele
Contact address: Centre for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital,
Ghent University, Ghent, BELGIUM.
Tel:
Fax:
Email: Joke.Vandesompele@UGent.be
Presentation date: 20th May 2013
Abstract
The utilisation of reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) technology is currently used widely in molecular biology laboratories for gene
expression studies and other applications. Unfortunately, the standards applied
during the different steps when carrying out RT-qPCR assays (such as primer
design, sample handling and storage, RNA quality assessment protocols,
normalisation methods) tend to vary greatly between differing laboratories. Ultimately,
this can lead to the unbeknownst publication of data with artefacts. In addition, many
peer reviewers are unaware of the standards required to obtain trustworthy RT-qPCR
data.
The Minimum Information for publication of Quantitative real-time PCR Experiments
(MIQE) is a set of guidelines that was compiled by scientists from 12 academic
institutes and two companies and consequently published in 2009. This set of
guidelines serves to implement standardisation of the RT-qPCR methodologies,
which comprise 57 essential (and 27 desirable) informative details regarding any
individual RT-qPCR study. For a RT-qPCR study to be deemed fit for publication in
scientific journals, the MIQE consortium suggests that at the very least, the essential
informative details of the MIQE guidelines should be adhered to prior to publication.
Long-term awareness and incorporation of the MIQE guidelines by researchers
performing RT-qPCR in their lab will eventually lead to obtaining RT-qPCR data that
adheres to higher quality assurance levels and can be therefore more easily
reproduced in multiple laboratories. This also leads to increased possibility for
publication of such data in high impact factor scientific journals.