title: MAKERGAUL: an innovative MAK2-based model and software for real-time PCR quantification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gene expression analysis by quantitative PCR is a standard laboratory technique for RNA quantification with high accuracy. In particular real-time PCR techniques using SYBR Green and melting curve analysis allowing verification of specific product amplification have become a well accepted laboratory technique for rapid and high throughput gene expression quantification. However, the software that is applied for quantification is somewhat circuitous and needs actually above average manual operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We here developed a novel, simple to handle open source software package (i.e., MAKERGAUL) for quantification of gene expression data obtained by real time PCR technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The developed software was evaluated with an already well characterized real time PCR data set and the performance parameters (i.e., absolute bias, linearity, reproducibility, and resolution) of the algorithm that are the basis of our calculation procedure compared and ranked with those of other implemented and well-established algorithms. It shows good quantification performance with reduced requirements in computing power.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that MAKERGAUL is a convenient and easy to handle software allowing accurate and fast expression data analysis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: Christoph.Bultmann@rwth-aachen.de.
authors.forename: Christoph André
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bultmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: rweiskirchen@ukaachen.de.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiskirchen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software
keywords: CPU; Computer-based analysis; DNA quantification; Expression analysis; MAK2; MAKERGAUL; MIQE; Open source software; RT; central processing unit; double stranded DNA; dsDNA; qPCR; quantitative PCR; reverse transcription