Ambion Announces Launch of Single Screen, Ready-to-Transfect siRNA Libraries

Austin, TX, USA, July 13, 2005 ––Ambion, Inc., The RNA Company, today announced the availability of a new line of pre-plated, ready-to-transfect siRNA libraries, known as Silencer® CellReady siRNA Libraries. Developed to give researchers an affordable and easy to use tool for studying gene function, each pre-defined set includes three individual siRNAs per target plated in the ideal amount for use in a single RNAi screen in human cells. Libraries of siRNAs targeting human kinases and the "druggable" genome, as well as two libraries targeting commonly studied genes, were made available with this initial product launch. Ambion stated that many additional libraries in this new format will be available in the near future.

RNAi screening with siRNA libraries has revolutionized the study of gene function. However the cost of siRNA libraries, and the perception by researchers that expensive robotic liquid handling systems are required, have limited the adoption of this approach. Ambion's Silencer CellReady siRNA Libraries address both of these issues. Priced at a fraction of the cost of standard siRNA libraries, the new pre-plated, ready-to-transfect 96-well siRNA library format makes RNAi screening particularly easy, eliminating the requirement for liquid handling robots. To use the libraries, researchers need only to add diluted transfection agent to the dried siRNAs, incubate briefly, and then overlay with cells.

“We are excited about this new siRNA library format, primarily because it opens so many doors for academic researchers,” commented Matt Winkler, Ambion CEO and CSO. “RNAi screening is such a powerful approach for gaining an understanding of gene function. We are very pleased to be able to offer a tool that makes RNAi screening feasible for the vast majority of scientists.”

The siRNAs in the Silencer CellReady siRNA Libraries were designed by Ambion's partner, Cenix BioScience, and produced in Ambion's high-throughput manufacturing facility. The company says that the new library format uses the same high quality, high efficacy siRNAs as found in its standard Silencer siRNA Libraries.