Dharmacon's completion of first human genome-wide siRNA library signals new era in life-science research

16-Aug-2005

Dharmacon, Inc. announced the completion of the world's first genome-wide, short-interfering RNA (siRNA) library. The siARRAY® genome-wide library is the first complete library targeting genes across the entire human genome.

Developed using Dharmacon's proprietary SMARTselection(TM) and SMARTpool® technologies, it is designed to dramatically decrease the time and cost needed for high-throughput functional genomic studies, while providing scientists with new capabilities to conduct research that was formerly not feasible. Availability of Dharmacon's complete human genome-wide siRNA library is expected to significantly accelerate drug discovery and development, and it also has the potential to increase scientists' understanding of fundamental disease mechanisms.

"We are proud to announce Dharmacon's completion of the first complete human genome-wide library, a milestone event for both the biomedical research community and for Dharmacon," said William S. Marshall, Ph.D., vice president of Technology and Business Development for the Fisher Biosciences Group. "We believe that the release of this genome-wide siRNA collection represents a fundamental advance in the capabilities available to biological researchers and will forever change medical research, by making it possible for scientists to determine the function of every human gene."

Dharmacon's siARRAY whole genome-wide siRNA library includes more than 100,000 siRNA reagents targeting over 21,000 human genes contained in the NCBI RefSeq database. A SMARTpool siRNA reagent and four individual siRNAs are available for each unique human gene. Dharmacon's SMARTpool siRNA reagents, innovative mixtures of four highly functional, individual siRNAs, minimize screening costs and guarantee potent gene silencing while limiting off-target effects and reducing the likelihood of false-positive and false-negative results. The availability of five gene-silencing reagents per gene also provides researchers the opportunity for independent validation of gene silencing effects. These qualities are especially important for high-throughput-screening applications, where both functionality and cost effectiveness are essential.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/48307/dharmacon-s-completion-of-first-human-genome-wide-sirna-library-signals-new-era-in-life-science-research.html