Underpinning standards to support biological comparability

LGC, in our role as the UK’s National Measurement Institute for chemical and bio-measurement, is coordinating a European project (‘Bio-stand’) to develop new documentary standards to help improve the comparability of bio-analytical measurements for biotechnology and in vitro diagnostics.

Working together with the German National Measurement Institute PTB, Bio-stand aims to build on outputs from recently completed LGC-led European metrology projects (Bio-SITrace, INFECT-MET).

Accurate measurement of biological analytes (nucleic acids, proteins and cells) underpins the future of many sectors, including healthcare, environment, biotechnology and food. However, lack of reproducibility is a growing concern for the life sciences research community. Poor reproducibility hinders scientific progress: it contributes to costly delays to research, slows the development of novel products and ultimately influences the efficacy and potential safety of patient and consumer products.

Bio-stand will work closely with the ISO committees for Biotechnology (ISO TC276) and Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems (ISO TC 212) to develop the written standards and guidance documents needed to support the progress of biotechnology and clinical diagnostics and mitigate the use of inaccurate and unreliable tests.

For further information on this project visit the project website or contact the NMS Helpdesk.
 
The European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) is the main programme for European research on measurement science and is funded by the European Commission and involves collaboration between the top European NMIs, universities and industry.