Work

Hiding in Plain Sight: The Issue of Hidden Variables

Year: 2022

Type: other

Abstract: Here we discuss "hidden variables", which are typically introduced during an experiment as a consequence of the application of two independent variables together to create a stimulus. With increased sophistication in modern chemical biology tools and related precision interrogation techniques, hidden variables have become integral to many chemical biologists' routine experiments. For instance, they can appear in the use of light-activatable chemical probes (e.g., μMap, T-REX), or stimulus-induced enzyme activation (e.g., APEX). Unfortunately, control experiments assess only how independent variables affect measured outcomes and not the multiple differences between the two independent variables and the twain. We outline ways to account for potential hidden variables in experimental design and data interpretation as a means to aid developers of new methods, particularly those involving light-driven techniques, chemical activation, or biorthogonal chemistries, to better incorporate well-controlled procedures.

Source: ACS Chemical Biology

DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00142

Authors: Marcus J. C. Long, Mahdi Assari, Yimon Aye

Institutions: University of Geneva, NCCR Chemical Biology - Visualisation and Control of Biological Processes Using Chemistry, University of Lausanne, University of Chicago, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Language: English

Topic: Click Chemistry and Applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

Award: Deconstructing precision signaling crosstalk regulated by native reactive electrophiles

OpenAlex ID: W4281260462

Cites: 37

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10