HERCULES, CA — July 15, 2008 — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO and BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today launched a new siLentMer™ siRNA search tool available online at www.bio-rad.com/rnaisearch. The siLentMer siRNA search tool offers a way to review Bio-Rad's library of validated siRNA gene targets by searching for a siRNA (by gene symbol, NCBI accession number or Bio-Rad catalog number) or browsing either the research panels they are categorized into or an alphabetical listing of the target gene symbols.
Potent, well designed siRNAs are crucial to the specific silencing of a target gene. Bio-Rad's siLentMer siRNA duplexes are based on the novel Dicer-substrate siRNA technology, which contributes to their high potency and ability to use very low siRNA concentrations per experiment. Additionally, Bio-Rad employs their expertise in Gene Transfer and PCR by validating each siRNA sequence to ensure its effectiveness in knocking down at least 85% of the target mRNA expression level.
The siLentMer siRNA duplexes offered by Bio-Rad are now categorized into nine panels according to areas of research interest. The current research panels include angiogenesis; apoptosis; carcinogenesis; cell cycle/checkpoint; chromatin regulation; inflammation; kinases; metabolism; and toxicology/ADME. Additional panels such as stem cell research, DNA damage/ repair, cardiovascular disease, and others will be added later in the year.
Validated qPCR Primer Pairs
Bio-Rad also announced the addition of validated qPCR Primer Pairs to their siLentMer product line. These qPCR Primer Pairs, used for the validation of the siRNA duplexes, are shipped along with each validated siRNA duplex and are also included in the siLentMer Total Control siRNA Transfection Kits.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs approximately 6,300 people globally and had revenues approaching $1.5 billion in 2007. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
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