The EQUAL-quant Programme


1. Objectives of the EQUAL-quant Programme

We are aiming to provide laboratories carrying out quantitative PCR for the quantification of cDNA the opportunity to participate in a Europe-wide external quality assessment (EQA) program. For the purposes of this project we are limiting the assessment to the 5’-nuclease (TaqMan) assay.

2. Participant selection

Participation is open to all laboratories carrying out the TaqMan assay within the EU. These can be either public or private laboratories. In the EQUAL-quant programme up to 212 Laboratories can participate (see the geographical distribution of participants at Description of the EQUAL Programme). Participation is free.

3. What will we provide?

You will be provided with primers and test materials to enable your laboratory to carry out the analysis according to your usual practice. You need not have specific knowledge of the assay provided. More details as to the specifics of the assay (primer sequences, protocols etc) will be provided at the time of sample distribution. We will provide:

We will not be providing reagents for mRNA extraction, reverse transcription or a QPCR mastermix, however we will be collecting these details when you submit your data.

4. Applying to Participate

All applications to participate must be made via the EC4 web site (www.ec-4.org)

5. Submitting Your Data

On completion of the practical aspect of the scheme you will be requested to submit your data via the DGKL web-site (www.DGKL.de). We will be asking you to submit both your raw data as well as the parameters calculated in determining the cDNA numbers. You will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire concerning the methods used.

6. Performance

Your performance and those of all participants will be evaluated anonymously and will be published on the DGKL web-site (www.DGKL.de). Additionally, you will receive comments by the organizer.


7. Time Schedule of the Survey

Deadline for application November, 6, 2004
Shipment of the EQUAL-quant kit to participants starts October 2004
ends December 2004
Phase of analysis in the labs, submission of results October, 2004 - February, 2005
Closing of the survey February 26, 2005
Back-Reporting May 2005
Training Courses planned in the period July - October 2005

8. Do you want to know more?

Are there any questions? Do you need further information? Please feel free to contact Dr. Simon Ramsden (simon.ramsden@cmmc.nhs.uk) or by mail to:

Dr Simon Ramsden
National Genetics Reference Laboratory (Manchester)
Dept of Medical Genetics,
Saint Mary’s Hospital,
Hathersage Road,
Manchester M13 0JH,
United Kingdom

9. Do you want to join the EQUAL-quant programme?

Please fill in your application form.