Collaboration with Lentigen Expands Research Applications for RNAi
WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thermo Fisher
Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, has
collaborated with Lentigen Corporation to develop a powerful new technology
platform that expands applications for RNAi (RNA interference) to critical
fields of life sciences research, including neuroscience, immunology and
stem cell biology. This advancement, called Thermo Scientific Dharmacon(R)
SMARTvector(TM) shRNA Lentiviral Particles, combines Thermo Scientific
gene-silencing technologies with Lentigen's expertise in viral-delivery
systems. SMARTvector will help researchers overcome common challenges faced
when using RNAi, leading to permanent gene silencing in a wide range of
cell types.
"With the SMARTvector advancement, we can now effectively deliver
stably expressed gene silencing sequences into a broad range of cell types,
including those that are difficult to work with, such as primary cells,
non-dividing cells, stem cells and neuronal cell lines," said Dr. Ian
Jardine, vice president of global research and development for Thermo
Fisher Scientific. "Scientists using these cell lines can now harness the
power of RNAi in their research, overcoming fundamental limitations in
certain existing technologies."
Scientists at Thermo Fisher Scientific have applied innovations in RNAi
to develop a novel, dedicated shRNA (short-hairpin RNA) design algorithm
that is key to the SMARTvector platform. The algorithm uses criteria unique
to shRNA- based silencing for the routine production of highly functional
sequences specific to every gene in human, mouse and rat genomes.
"Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a specialized shRNA design
algorithm that greatly enhances the ability to select highly functional
gene targeting sequences," added Jardine. "Alternative technologies
frequently produce shRNA sequences that are ineffective at silencing the
targeted genes, while causing high levels of unintended gene silencing that
can lead to flawed experimental results."
By combining shRNA with Lentigen's proprietary viral vector delivery
system, the gene silencing sequence is integrated into the host cell
genome. This creates permanent gene silencing that cannot be achieved with
synthetic siRNAs. Permanent gene silencing is crucial in many types of
experiments, including those that examine complex gene networks in drug
development and neurobiology.
Dr. Boro Dropulic, founder and chief executive officer of Lentigen,
said, "By linking Lentigen's lentiviral technology and production
capabilities with the RNAi expertise of Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are
giving scientists a new tool that enables a much broader range of
experiments involving gene silencing."
Thermo Scientific Dharmacon SMARTvector shRNA Lentiviral Particles can
be ordered at http://www.thermo.com/dharmacon .
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in
serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier,
cleaner and safer. With an annual revenue rate of more than $9 billion, we
employ 30,000 people and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical
and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs,
universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as
environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers
through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we
help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research
and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of
high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software,
services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow
solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory
equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific
research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient
purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies
to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers
and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit
http://www.thermofisher.com.
Media Contact Information: Investor Contact Information:
Lori Gorski Ken Apicerno
Phone: 781-622-1242 Phone: 781-622-1111
E-mail: lori.gorski@thermofisher.com E-mail: ken.apicerno@thermofisher.com
Website: http://www.thermofisher.com
SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.thermofisher.com
http://www.thermo.com/dharmacon
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/877850.html/
CONTACT:
Lori Gorski, +1-781-622-1242,
lori.gorski@thermofisher.com or for Investors Ken Apicerno,
+1-781-622-1111, ken.apicerno@thermofisher.com, both of Thermo
Fisher Scientific Inc.
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