Blackshaw, SethKuo, WinstonPark, PeterTsujikawa, MotokazuGunnersen, Jenny MScott, Hamish SBoon, Wee-MingTan, Seong-SengCepko, Constance2011-04-202003Blackshaw, Seth, Winston P. Kuo, Peter J. Park, Motokazu Tsujikawa, Jenny M. Gunnersen, Hamish S. Scott, Wee-Ming Boon, Seong-Seng Tan, and Constance L. Cepko. 2003. MicroSAGE is highly representative and reproducible but reveals major differences in gene expression among samples obtained from similar tissues. Genome Biology 4(3): R17.1465-6906http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4870973Background: Serial analysis of gene expression using small amounts of starting material (microSAGE) has not yet been conclusively shown to be representative, reproducible or accurate. Results: We show that microSAGE is highly representative, reproducible and accurate, but that pronounced differences in gene expression are seen between tissue samples taken from different individuals. Conclusions: MicroSAGE is a reliable method of comprehensively profiling differences in gene expression among samples, but care should be taken in generalizing results obtained from libraries constructed from tissue obtained from different individuals and/or processed or stored differently.en-USJournal Article2011-04-20