NormqPCR

The "NormqPCR" package, alongside "ReadqPCR," offers a comprehensive suite for the analysis of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data within the R programming environment. RT-qPCR is a cornerstone technique in molecular biology for quantifying gene transcription levels across multiple transcripts simultaneously. A critical aspect of RT-qPCR analysis is the normalization of data, which requires the selection of optimal reference genes—a task complicated by the lack of unified tools in R to address this issue effectively.

NormqPCR bridges this gap by providing methodologies for selecting suitable reference genes and the subsequent normalization of RT-qPCR data based on these genes. It is designed for users familiar with high-throughput data analysis in R. It offers an integrated workflow that includes importing data into R, storing it in an ExpressionSet-compatible object, selecting reference genes, normalizing the data, and conducting differential expression analysis.

By incorporating various algorithms developed for reference gene selection, NormqPCR enhances the accuracy of RT-qPCR data analysis. The package, along with ReadqPCR, which facilitates the initial data import and handling, significantly expands the repertoire of RT-qPCR analysis tools available to researchers using R. This development enables a more streamlined and practical analysis of RT-qPCR experiments, from data preparation to the interpretation of differential gene expression, thereby advancing the field of molecular biology research.