title: Utility of checklist to describe experimental methods for investigating molecular biomarkers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In research articles, detailed description of experimental methods and reagents is fundamental for correct reproducibility of the published data. This becomes even more important when such data contribute to identify molecular targets and toxicity biomarkers whose role is crucial in the physiology and pathology of human health. Methods & Objectives: To achieve good reproducibility of data we took advantage of others' experiences and analyzed molecular biology and immunodetection techniques in 32 journal articles investigating the human NRF2 and Keap1 genes involved in the cell response to oxidative stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion of the analysis, we assessed deficiency of information in the published methods, making it difficult to select appropriate protocols. Underlining the importance of assay reproducibility, this paper proposes the utility of a minimum information checklist of methods for biomarker detection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, INAIL Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pieranna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiarella
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, INAIL Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carbonari
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, INAIL Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iavicoli
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D057189:Checklist / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019295:Computational Biology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C431364:KEAP1 protein, human; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human
keywords: antibody; biomarker; immunoblotting; immunocytochemistry; oxidative stress; polymerase chain reaction; reverse transcription