ARS | Publication request: THE EXTERNAL RNA CONTROLS CONSORTIUM: A PROGRESS REPORT

Submitted to: Nature Methods
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 20, 2005
Publication Date: October 1, 2005
Citation: Liu, Z.L., External RNA Control Consortium. 2005. The external RNA controls consortium: A progress report. Nature Methods. 2(10):731-734.

Interpretive Summary: Gene expression analysis provides significant insight to understand biology. However, acquisition and reproduction of quality data remain challenging due to the lack of proper quality controls. With concerns of application of gene expression dates, it is important to have a common standard for the gene expression community, including public and private sectors. This scientist has actively participated and contributed to the External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC) workshop planning as a paper-writing member. Proposed guidelines were posted online publicly for feedback. This work impacts the gene expression community and the society nationally and internationally for standardization of data quality and applications of expression data.

Technical Abstract: Standard controls and best practice guidelines advance acceptance of data from research preclinical and clinical laboratories by providing a means for evaluating data quality. The External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC) is developing commonly agreed upon and tested controls for use in expression assays, a true industry-wide standard control.