Affymetrix and Qiagen have entered into a collaboration to optimise Qiagen siRNA-mediated gene silencing using Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology
Affymetrix and Qiagen have entered into a collaboration to optimise Qiagen siRNA-mediated gene silencing using Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology.
The collaboration is intended to develop optimised procedures that can be standardised to analyse gene silencing effects on a genome-wide basis.
Qiagen has a leading position in gene silencing by siRNA using synthesis technology based on a proprietary chemistry (TOM amidites), and on transfection methods and kits for introduction of siRNA into target cells.
The ability of Affymetrix GeneChip expression arrays to provide a comprehensive picture of all the protein-coding content in the human genome enables researchers to determine on a whole genome scale, on- and off-target effects of siRNA-mediated gene silencing.
Optimised protocols and data resulting from the collaboration describing the benefits of using the two technologies together will be provided to researchers in technical notes.
"Use of siRNA as a tool to impact important biological pathways is a rapidly growing area of research in basic biology and therapeutic development," said Trevor Nicholls, Affymetrix's chief commercial officer.
"The whole-genome view that Affymetrix arrays offer will give researchers a more complete understanding of the downstream effects of siRNAs in their experiments and clinical research. "We are pleased to be working with Qiagen in this exciting area.
"This relationship complements our recently announced collaboration with PreAnalytiX to develop sampling protocols in clinical research".
"This collaboration adds another cornerstone to the already existing partnerships with Affymetrix, said Ulrich Schriek, vice president corporate business development of Qiagen.
"It will strengthen Qiagen's presence in what has evolved to one of the most dynamic areas of today's functional genomics market.
The combination of our synthetic siRNA and transfection products with the market's leading array technology will set new standards and is ideally suited to provide an optimal tool set to researchers studying complex genetic pathways and networks."
