Standardization and quality control

The projects within the functional analysis pipeline of SMP-Cell are distributed between several centers within Germany. Some work packages (e.g. ORF cloning, sequence validation) are carried out by several partners. Standardization of nomenclature, resources, protocols and of the acquisition and flow of information are key for a proper integration and a comprehensive analysis of the data. A central quality control is further mandatory to achieve and maintain high quality standards of resources and data.

• The same vectors and primer-standards are used in the cloning process to generate a standardized resource.

• Protocols are worked out, tested, and distributed to the partners within SMP-Cell to standardize workflows.

• A standardized nomenclature is essential to allow for a back-tracking from expression constructs to all prior material.

• Minimum Information About a Cellular Assay - MIACA - is a proposed standardized description of cellular assay projects.

Further reading (http://www.smp-cell.org/Files/Reports/SMP-Cell_QM.pdf).

The SMP-Cell and its work in the fields of Quality Management and Standardization are essential components of the NGFN Working Group on QM & Standards, which aims at further enhancing the quality and compatibility of research within the NGFN and beyond. The work of this Working Group has been described in the Science_Inside brochure of the NGFN (http://www.smp-cell.org/Files/Reports/Science_Inside2_AGQM.pdf).