News and Updates

Displaying 1 - 25 of 83

NIST Releases New Forensic Genetic Reference Material to Help Crime Laboratories Analyze Challenging Cases

February 17, 2026

The reference material is the first to include mixtures of high-quality and degraded DNA from different individuals.  

Space: The Final Frontier for Standards

February 9, 2026

Seven NIST reference materials, including house dust and freeze-dried human liver tissue, have been flown to the International Space Station.

A microscopic image of NISTCHO cells that are stained blue and green on a black background..

NIST’s ‘Living Reference Material’ Could Accelerate R&D of Lifesaving Biological Drugs

September 8, 2025

The NIST reference material, called NISTCHO, will help the biopharmaceutical industry develop new drugs more quickly and ensure that they are safe and effective...

A woman wearing a lab coat and safety glasses stares into a large microscope.

New NIST Reference Material to Strengthen Quality Control for Biological Drugs

July 31, 2025

Impurities in these drugs can cause undesirable immune responses in patients and can significantly drive up costs for drug manufacturers.

A Particle Size SRM for Training and Qualifying Visual Inspection Analysts

July 31, 2025

NIST received requests from scientists in the biopharmaceutical industry, instrument vendors, and from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to develop a...

SRM 2323 - Step Height Standard for Areal Surface Topography Measurement

NIST Developed an SRM to Aid the Forensic Analysis of Firearms and Toolmarks

July 30, 2025

When a gun is fired, microscopic markings are left on the expelled bullet and cartridge case. Forensic firearm and toolmark examiners compare these markings to...

An RM for Assessing the Performance of Bioprocess Measurement Systems

June 30, 2025

After the release of NISTmAb RM 8671, the biopharmaceutical community noted that a monoclonal antibody (mAb) producing Chinese hamster ovary line (CHO) cell...

Assuring the Accuracy of Metabolite Measurement and Identification

March 18, 2025

This reference material is intended to be used as quality assurance/quality control material for laboratory metabolomic measurements. Products of metabolism act...

NIST Releases Reference Material to Aid Gut Microbiome Research

March 17, 2025

Researchers hope this material will help usher in a new era of diagnostics and treatments involving the gut microbiome.

A scientist wearing protective equipment places a tray of diced geoduck clam tissue into large open machinery.

NIST Researchers Develop Material for Measuring Arsenic in Shellfish

March 13, 2025

NIST’s new standard reference material will help ensure that geoduck clams and other shellfish are safe to eat.

An SRM for Accuracy in Electrolyte Panel Clinical Tests

February 26, 2025

Electrolytes are essential biomarkers for skeletal and cellular health. Abnormal levels of electrolytes may either be the cause or the consequence of various...

An RM for Temperature and Enthalpy Calibration of Differential Scanning Calorimeters

January 31, 2025

A new Reference Material (RM) has been developed for the temperature and enthalpy calibration of differential scanning calorimeters (DSCs). The addition of this...

An RM for Measuring Cannabinoids and Toxic Elements in Hemp

July 8, 2024

The Hemp Plant reference material (RM 8210) provides values for cannabinoids and toxic elements in a dried ground hemp plant material to help cannabis and...

SIM Approval of the NIST Office of Reference Materials Quality Management System

July 3, 2024

The NIST Office of Reference Materials implements a quality management system (QMS) based on Standard ISO 9001:2015, Guide 31:2015 and relevant requirements of...

A Standard for Quantifying Yohimbe in Dietary Supplements

April 17, 2024

SRM 3383 Yohimbe-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form is part of a continuing collaboration with NIH-Office of Dietary Supplements to develop dietary supplement...

An SRM for Measuring Arsenic in Shellfish

April 16, 2024

NIST has developed many environmentally relevant Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) over the years, including whale blubber, fish and mussel tissues, human...

A Lead Isotopic Standard for Instrument Calibration

January 31, 2024

Stable isotope analysis is an important interdisciplinary tool used by numerous fields such as nuclear and homeland security, forensics, medicine and...

A researcher leans close to an open boxlike device, handling small tubes and vials inside.

NIST Develops Human Urine Standard for More Accurate Diagnosis of Kidney Disease

December 7, 2023

The standard will improve clinical measurements and support decisions for diagnosing kidney disease.

Kidney Disease Diagnosis and Monitoring

August 8, 2023

Kidney disease is a major global public health issue, with c hronic kidney disease (CKD) representing the 12 th highest cause of death worldwide. It has been...

Standards for Tracking PFAS Contaminants

June 22, 2023

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) containing PFAS have been used since the 1960s for fire control and training for aviation crash and jet fuel spills at...

An SRM for the Verification of 3D Optical Medical Imaging Devices

April 4, 2023

Medical imaging devices and systems must be calibrated to ensure uniformity and reliability of test results. A Standard Reference Material (SRM) or "phantom"...

Testing Infant Formula Nutritional Content

March 27, 2023

Infant formula is one of the most highly regulated foods in the United States and around the world. The Infant Formula Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-359) requires...

A Crystalline SRM for the Analysis of Glucose in Clinical Samples

February 28, 2023

This Standard Reference Material (SRM) is intended primarily for use in calibrating measuring systems employed for the analysis of glucose in clinical samples...

Measuring Herbicide Residue in Oat-Based Food Products

January 30, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes tolerances for pesticide and herbicide residues in food that are still considered safe for consumption...

Assessing the Fineness of Construction Materials

January 20, 2023

Portland cement powder is characterized by particle size for use in calibrating instruments, measuring fineness characteristics of portland cement, and other...

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