Concept paper on SI value assignment of purity - Model for the classification of peptide/protein purity determinations

Required metrological tools, such as higher order reference measurements procedures, pure substance and matrix certified reference materials, are established for small well defined molecules. Difficulties still remain in the provision of SI traceable standards in the area of larger biomolecules such as peptides/proteins. The provision of Primary Calibration Reference Services has been identified as a core technical competency for National Measurement Institutes (NMIs). A concept has been elaborated by the Focus Group I on peptide/protein purity for the strategic planning of ongoing Key Comparisons of the Protein Analysis Working Group (PAWG) within the Comite Consultatif pour la Quantite de Matiere (CCQM). The assignment of the mass fraction content of high purity peptide/protein materials will be the subject of the CCQM-K115/P55.2 comparison series to directly support NMI services and certified reference materials currently being provided by NMIs.