Proxy methods biological

Potential interfering substances in a biological matrix include endogenous matrix components, metabolites, decomposition products, and in the actual study, concomitant medication. Whenever possible, the same biological matrix as the matrix in the intended samples should be used for validation purposes. For tissues of limited availability, such as bone marrow, physiologically appropriate proxy matrices can be substituted. Method selectivity should be evaluated during method development and method validation and can continue during the analysis of actual study samples. 

Our approach to proxy validation and development is based on complementary steps in exploring the inorganic chemistry, inorganic isotope fractionation and biological controls on proxy relationships in organisms relevant to climate reconstructions. In many cases, the integration of laboratory experiments, field and culmre studies, theoretical considerations and numerical modelling has turned out to be a successful method for this task. 

JORISSEN, F. J., FONTANIER, C. THOMAS, E. 2007. Paleoceanographical proxies based on deep-sea benthic foraminiferal assemblage characteristics. Im Hillaire-Marcel, C. De Vernal, A. (eds) Proxies in Late Cenozoic Paleoceanography. Volume 1 - Methods in Late Cenozoic Paleoceanography Ill-Biological Tracers and Biomarkers. Elsevier, pp. 263-325. 

---