title: Calculation of measurement uncertainty in quantitative analysis of genetically modified organisms using intermediate precision--a practical approach.
abstract: Quantitative characterization of nucleic acids is becoming a frequently used method in routine analysis of biological samples, one use being the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Measurement uncertainty is an important factor to be considered in these analyses, especially where precise thresholds are set in regulations. Intermediate precision, defined as a measure between repeatability and reproducibility, is a parameter describing the real situation in laboratories dealing with quantitative aspects of molecular biology methods. In this paper, we describe the top-down approach to calculating measurement uncertainty, using intermediate precision, in routine GMO testing of food and feed samples. We illustrate its practicability in defining compliance of results with regulations. The method described is also applicable to other molecular methods for a variety of laboratory diagnostics where quantitative characterization of nucleic acids is needed.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Biology, Vecna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. jana.zel@nib.si
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zel
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gruden
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cankar
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stebih
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blejec
mesh_terms: D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D030781:Organisms, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D009696:Nucleic Acids; D004247:DNA