Hercules, CA — December 14, 2009 — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today announced the availability of a technical note titled, "Transfection of Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Electroporation Using the Gene Pulser MXcell™ System" written by Eva Zsigmond of the University of Texas Health Science Center.
The technical note (Bulletin 5904) examines ways to optimize electroporation parameters for the efficient transfer of DNA into mouse embryonic stem cells and human embryonic stem cells that have been grown under colony-forming and feeder-free conditions.
Historically, electroporation has been the method of choice for introducing genes into mouse embryonic stem cells. However, compared to mouse embryonic stem cells, human embryonic stem cells have shown low cell viability and transfection efficiencies after electroporation.
Publications on electroporation-based gene targeting for human embryonic stem cells are scarce. It is important to use a delivery technique such as electroporation that doesn't affect the stem cell phenotype.
A key advantage of Bio-Rad's Gene Pulser MXcell electroporation system over other systems is that in addition to preset protocols, every critical parameter is programmable — from voltage to number of pulses — enabling researchers to find the ideal set of conditions for their specific cells, including difficult-to-transfect primary and stem cells.
The Gene Pulser MXcell electroporation system's "open" architecture permitted Zsigmond's research team to determine the optimum protocols for efficiently electroporating both mouse and human embryonic stem cells while optimizing cell viability. The full technical note is available through Bio-Rad's website at www.bio-rad.com/MXcell (click the Documents tab).
A comprehensive set of electroporation protocols for mammalian cell lines submitted by scientists worldwide is available at www.bio-rad.com/transfectionprotocols.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: 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. Bio-Rad 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 over 6,500 people globally and had revenues exceeding $1.7 billion in 2008. For more information, visit www.bio rad.com.
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