New flexible siRNA solution will make RNAi projects cheaper

Qiagen, a provider of products for pre-analytical sample preparation and a leader in molecular diagnostics, has introduced FlexiPlate siRNA, the very first product line for fully customised sets of siRNAs for RNA Interference (RNAi) research.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are tiny RNA molecules that silence specific genes by inhibiting their expression. RNAi and the ability to knockdown any gene is expected to create new benefits in the future development of science and therapeutics. This year's Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Craig C. Mello and Andrew Z. Fire for research in the field of RNAi.

Previously, biologists had to rely on pre-defined sets of siRNAs. Now Qiagen's novel FlexiPlate siRNA ensures a new dimension of flexibility by allowing users to determine not only the exact RNAi assay, but also exactly the amount of siRNAs needed for their individual requirements. These advantages directly result in significant cost-savings in RNAi projects.

Efficient processing allows screening of more targets, hence more RNAi projects can be completed. In high throughput RNAi-based screening, Flexiplate is expected to lead to faster, less expensive and more specific research. In low throughput RNAi, FlexiPlate allows customers to quantify the number of RNAi assays needed, thereby often leading to the ability to use seven times as many assays when compared to unquantified offerings.

Dr Bettina Haedrich, global product manager RNAi at Qiagen said: "Most researchers know the problem of having too much siRNA or too many siRNAs for their experiments. With FlexiPlate siRNAs and GeneGlobe technology, they find now an effective tool which makes their RNA screening more flexible, economical and convenient."

Market estimates suggest that the global RNAi market could grow annually up to 30%, accumulating US$330m in worldwide revenues by 2010.