Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced two new members of the RNAi Global Initiative: the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and the University of Leiden in Amsterdam.
With the addition of these members, the RNAi Global Initiative represents 37 research institutions in 14 different countries.
All of the members are using the Thermo Scientific Dharmacon whole-genome small-interfering RNA (siRNA) library in their research.
At the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, scientists are exploring a variety of genomic functions, including the signalling mechanisms of host/virus interactions, mitochondrial dynamics, cap independent translation and programmed cell death.
The goal is to better understand these biological activities so that ultimately they can be manipulated to improve human health.
At the University of Leiden, Bob van de Water and Erik HJ Danen and their teams within the Division of Toxicology will use siRNA screening to better understand the molecular mechanisms of cancer and the responses of normal and tumour cells to DNA damaging anti-cancer drugs.
Danen said he expects the RNAi Global Initiative to help his team be as effective as possible in setting up these large-scale screens.
Founded in 2005, the RNAi Global Initiative is advancing the use of whole-genome RNA-interference screening, an increasingly important tool in biological research and drug discovery.
Members share information and develop common research standards to advance the productivity of RNAi gene-silencing techniques.
The RNAi Global Initiative holds two international gatherings each year.
Members also communicate through monthly teleconferences, online web forums and meetings of sub-groups focused on topics of special interest.
