Need for and Metrological Approaches Towards Standardization of Fluorescence Measurements From the View of National Metrology Institutes

Published

April 9, 2008

Author(s)

Paul C. DeRose, Lili Wang, Adolfas K. Gaigalas, Gary W. Kramer, Ute Resch-Genger, Ulrich Panne

Abstract

The need for standardization in fluorescence measurements to improve quality assurance and to meet regulatory demands is addressed from the viewpoint of national metrological institutes (NMIs). Classes of fluorescence standards are defined, including instrument calibration standards for the determination and correction of instrument bias, application-specific standards based on commonly used fluorescent labels, and instrument validation standards for periodic checks of instrument performance. The need for each class of standard is addressed and on-going efforts by NMIs and others are described. Several certified reference materials (CRMs) that have recently been developed by NMIs are highlighted. These include spectral correction standards, developed independently by both NIST and BAM (Germany), and fluorescence intensity standards for flow cytometry, developed by NIST. NIST and BAM are both working to characterize the effectiveness of commercially-available material standards and develop new CRMs in a variety of fluorescence areas, including microarray technology. Quality criteria for fluorescence standards are also expressed with the requirements of NMI standards, such as compliance with national and international quality guidelines, being emphasized. Close interaction and collaboration between NMIs, instrument manufacturers and regulatory agencies, as well as workshops and training courses for users, are encouraged to aide the process of assay validation and broaden understanding for the need for an improved quality assurance in fluorometry.

Citation

Need for and Metrological Approaches Towards Standardization of Fluorescence Measurements From the View of National Metrology Institutes

Publisher Info

Fluorescence Standardization Fluorescence Standardization (Chapter 4) | | Springer Series on Fluorescence (Vol. 5) | Springer-Verlag,

Pub Type

Books

Keywords

biosystems and health, calibration, fluorescence, quality, standards, validation

Citation

DeRose, P. , Wang, L. , Gaigalas, A. , Kramer, G. , Resch-Genger, U. and Panne, U. (2008), Need for and Metrological Approaches Towards Standardization of Fluorescence Measurements From the View of National Metrology Institutes, Fluorescence Standardization Fluorescence Standardization (Chapter 4) | | Springer Series on Fluorescence (Vol. 5) | Springer-Verlag, (Accessed May 10, 2025)