Validation and quality control of protein microarray-based analytical methods

Protein microarray technology is used mainly in the research laboratory and it is being used to uncover important diagnostic and prognostic markers that may one day emerge as routine clinical laboratory tests. It is important that these methods are subject to control procedures, in order to ensure that data of the highest quality are obtained. If quality is not controlled, the assay may yield erroneous results that would mask or confound meaningful diagnostic or prognostic associations. This chapter surveys the range of strategies designed to assure the analytical quality of protein microarray methods and it also highlights some of the potential pitfalls when moving these arrays into routine clinical practice. With the development of appropriate quality control and assurance measures, we anticipate protein microarray-based assays will be of substantial benefit in the future practice of laboratory medicine.