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Quantitative Real-Time PCR pp 5–17Cite as

Minimum Information Necessary for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments

Part of the Methods in Molecular Biology book series (MIMB,volume 1160)

Abstract

The MIQE (minimum information for the publication of quantitative real-time PCR) guidelines were published in 2009 with the twin aims of providing a blueprint for good real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay design and encouraging the comprehensive reporting of qPCR protocols. It had become increasingly clear that variable pre-assay conditions, poor assay design, and incorrect data analysis were leading to the routine publication of data that were often inconsistent, inaccurate, and wrong. The problem was exacerbated by a lack of transparency of reporting, with the details of technical information inadequate for the purpose of assessing the validity of published qPCR data. This had, and continues to have serious implications for basic research, reducing the potential for translating findings into valuable applications and potentially devastating consequences for clinical practice. Today, the rationale underlying the MIQE guidelines has become widely accepted, with more than 2,200 citations by March 2014 and editorials in Nature and related publications acknowledging the enormity of the problem. However, the problem we now face is rather serious: thousands of publications that report suspect data are populating and corrupting the peer-reviewed scientific literature. It will be some time before the many contradictions apparent in every area of the life sciences are corrected.

Key words

  • PCR
  • Reverse transcription
  • Diagnostics
  • Gene expression

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  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0733-5_2
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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Blizard Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University, London, UK

    Gemma Johnson

  2. Special Infectious Agents Unit-Biosafety Level 3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Afif Abdel Nour

  3. Sigma-Aldrich, Haverhill, Suffolk, UK

    Tania Nolan

  4. Molecular and Cell Biology, LGC Ltd, Queens Road, Teddington, UK

    Jim Huggett

  5. Postgraduate Medical Institute, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1SQ, UK

    Stephen Bustin

Authors
  1. Gemma Johnson
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  2. Afif Abdel Nour
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  3. Tania Nolan
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  4. Jim Huggett
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  5. Stephen Bustin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen Bustin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio Medicina Molecolare, Dipartimento Medicina Traslazionale, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy

    Roberto Biassoni

  2. Laboratorio U.O.C Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy

    Alessandro Raso

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Johnson, G., Nour, A.A., Nolan, T., Huggett, J., Bustin, S. (2014). Minimum Information Necessary for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments. In: Biassoni, R., Raso, A. (eds) Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1160. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0733-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0733-5_2

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0732-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0733-5

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