Metrological framework to support accurate, reliable, and reproducible nucleic acid measurements

Nucleic acid analysis is used in many areas of life sciences such as medicine, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Accurate, reliable measurements of nucleic acids are crucial for maximum impact, yet users are often unaware of the global metrological infrastructure that exists to support these measurements. In this work, we describe international efforts to improve nucleic acid analysis, with a focus on the Nucleic Acid Analysis Working Group (NAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM). The NAWG is an international group dedicated to improving the global comparability of nucleic acid measurements; its primary focus is to support the development and maintenance of measurement capabilities and the dissemination of measurement services from its members: the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs). These NMIs and DIs provide DNA and RNA measurement services developed in response to the needs of their stakeholders. The NAWG members have conducted cutting edge work over the last 20 years, demonstrating the ability to support the reliability, comparability, and traceability of nucleic acid measurement results in a variety of sectors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00216-021-03712-x.