Falkenberg, Virginia R, Whistler, Toni, Murray, Janna' R et al. · BMC research notes · 2011 · DOI
Researchers studying ME/CFS need reliable ways to measure gene activity in blood samples. This study found that a gene called PGK1 is a stable and reliable 'reference point' for comparing gene measurements across different blood collection methods and sample types. Using a single stable reference gene like PGK1 makes it easier for scientists to get accurate, comparable results when searching for blood-based biomarkers of ME/CFS.
Standardized gene expression measurement techniques are essential for identifying and validating ME/CFS biomarkers. This work establishes methodological consistency that allows blood-based gene expression studies to be reliably compared across different laboratories and collection protocols, accelerating biomarker discovery and validation in ME/CFS research.
This study does not identify any disease biomarkers or genes associated with ME/CFS pathology itself—it only establishes technical standards for measuring gene expression reliably. It does not prove that any particular gene is dysregulated in ME/CFS patients, nor does it validate biomarker utility in diagnosis or prognosis.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Falkenberg, Virginia R, Whistler, Toni, Murray, Janna' R, Unger, Elizabeth R, & Rajeevan, Mangalathu S (2011). Identification of Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1 (PGK1) as a reference gene for quantitative gene expression measurements in human blood RNA.. BMC research notes. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-4-324
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-falkenberg-2011-identification-phosphoglycerate,
author = {Falkenberg, Virginia R and Whistler, Toni and Murray, Janna' R and Unger, Elizabeth R and Rajeevan, Mangalathu S},
title = {Identification of Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1 (PGK1) as a reference gene for quantitative gene expression measurements in human blood RNA.},
journal = {BMC research notes},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1186/1756-0500-4-324},
note = {PubMed: 21896205},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/falkenberg-2011-identification-phosphoglycerate},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/falkenberg-2011-identification-phosphoglycerate
Contribute
Private, reviewed by a human. Not a public comment thread.