Sigma and Czech Center for Phenogenomics Collaborate

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation's Research business unit, which supports scientific research by supplying products, services and solutions, has announced it has entered into a new gene editing collaboration with the Institute of Molecular Genetics (IMG) at the Czech Center for Phenogenomics (CCP) in Prague. Under the collaboration, Sigma-Aldrich will provide the Transgenic Module at IMG/CCP with Sigma CRISPR technology, including reagents, experimental design consultation and dedicated gene editing bioinformaticians.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Czech Center for Phenogenomics at the IMG," said Sean Muthian, Ph.D., MBA, Director of Strategic Marketing and Collaborations at Sigma-Aldrich. "The Sigma-Aldrich CRISPR Core Lab Collaboration helps accelerate the pace of translational research by removing design and production hurdles with CRISPR or Zinc Finger Nucleases, allowing scientists at the transgenic facility to focus on developing animal models that reflect the human condition."

"Employing new technologies based on custom programmable nucleases, such as the CRISPR/Cas technology, into our service portfolio reduced turnaround times over 75% compared to conventional methods," said Radislav Sedlacek, Ph.D., Director of the Czech Center for Phenogenomics. "Now rodents harboring targeted genetic mutations, including knockin, point mutations, and fusion proteins, can be produced in as little as six weeks, and at a fraction of the previous cost. Not surprisingly, service requests for these technologies have undergone substantial growth over the past year, reaching almost 100 projects at the end of 2014. Our collaboration with Sigma-Aldrich will allow us to further improve our service efficiency and keep pace with our growing order book."

"With the availability of our CRISPR Technology, scientists will be able to more consistently and confidently modify genes of interest leading to more reproducible outcomes in their research. Our collaboration with the Institute of Molecular Genetics/Czech Center for Phenogenomics is an example of how Sigma-Aldrich is making available technologies to improve reproducibility for scientists," said Muthian.