Harbin: a quantitation PCR analysis tool.
OBJECTIVE
To enable analysis and comparisons of different relative quantitation experiments, a web-browser application called Harbin was created that uses a quantile-based scoring system for the comparison of samples at different time points and between experiments.


RESULTS
Harbin uses the standard curve method for relative quantitation to calculate concentration ratios (CRs). To evaluate if different datasets can be combined the Harbin quantile bootstrap test is proposed. This test is more sensitive in detecting distributional differences between data sets than the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The utility of the test is demonstrated in a comparison of three grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) RT-qPCR data sets.


CONCLUSIONS
The quantile-based scoring system of CRs will enable the monitoring of virus titre or gene expression over different time points and be useful in other genomic applications where the combining of data sets are required.
Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
Rachelle
R
Bester
Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland.
Pieter T
PT
Pepler
Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
Dirk J
DJ
Aldrich
Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa. hjmaree@sun.ac.za.|Agricultural Research Council, Infruitec-Nietvoorbij: Institute for Deciduous Fruit, Vines and Wine, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa. hjmaree@sun.ac.za.
Hans J
HJ
Maree
D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012984:Software
Bootstrap; Concentration ratios; GLRaV-3; Genetic variants; Harbin; Location-scale-shape problem; Quantile-based scoring; RT-qPCR