Qiagen Develops Leading Solutions for RNA Interference

Qiagen have announced the development of the world’s largest collection of validated siRNAs through an extensive validation project.

The validation project represents a milestone in the development of standardized tools and demonstrates Qiagen’s commitment to support customers in the use of RNAi for research and drug development.

Qiagen claims that, validated siRNAs are highly efficient and increase the utility of valuable samples by reducing the variability of analytical results.

This extensive validation effort is a million-dollar project led by a multidisciplinary team of scientists in molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics.

The goal of the project is the development of validated siRNAs for the 7000 targets of the newly released Human Druggable Genome siRNA Set V2.0, which includes siRNAs targeting kinases and cancer-associated genes.

Currently, 2500 validated siRNAs are available at the GeneGlobe™ Web portal.

The project is run in a standardized high-throughput set-up. Firstly, siRNAs are designed using the HiPerformance siRNA Design Algorithm.

This is a combination of a licensed design algorithm from Novartis, which is designed to ensure high potency, and a proprietary homology search which provides unparallel specificity.

Secondly, appropriate cell lines are transfected using HiPerFect Transfection Reagent.

Thirdly, siRNA functionality is tested using QuantiTect^® Assays and Kits for real-time RT-PCR to confirm a minimum of 70% target gene knockdown.

"Qiagen is committed to providing standard-setting, validated solutions for RNAi,"said Jie Kang, Qiagen’s Vice President Research & Development.

"We believe we are a recognized leader and we are very active in contributing to the development of tools for research and drug development."

"Qiagen will continue to provide state-of-the-art technologies that can facilitate and accelerate RNAi for faster and more efficient development of safer and more effective drugs."