Need for and Metrological Approaches Towards Standardization of Fluorescence Measurements from the View of National Metrology Institutes

The need for standardization in fluorescence measurements to improve quality assurance and to meet regulatory demands is addressed from the viewpoint of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs). Classes of fluorescence standards are defined, including instrument calibration standards for the determination and correction of instrument bias, application-specific standards based on commonly used fluorescent labels, and instrument validation standards for periodic checks of instrument performance. The need for each class of standard is addressed and on-going efforts by NMIs and others are described. Several certified reference materials (CRMs) that have recently been developed by NMIs are highlighted. These include spectral correction standards, developed independently by both NIST and BAM (Germany), and fluorescence intensity standards for flow cytometry, developed by NIST. In addition, future activities at both institutes are addressed such as the development of day-to-day intensity standards.