Dharmacon Inc and Upstate announced the launch of a line of kits that combine Dharmacon's small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotide reagents and Upstate's antibodies. The reagent kits are the first products resulting from a new collaboration between Dharmacon and Upstate to co-develop and co-market innovative research products. The siRNA/siAB kits make it easier to conduct the RNA interference gene knockdown and target protein studies that are proving to be of great value for gene function, cell signaling and target validation research.

RNA, which is known to play an essential role in enabling cells to generate proteins, has now become a major tool for leading-edge life sciences research. By using small RNA segments called siRNA to "knockdown," or silence specific genes, researchers can identify the function of those genes and evaluate the proteins they produce far more simply, rapidly and cost effectively than with conventional methods.

"With the launch of this new line of kits, Dharmacon and Upstate have made the lives of cell biologists and biochemists easier by providing guaranteed siRNA reagents together with tested specific antibodies," said Thomas Tuschl, world-renowned siRNA expert and Associate Professor in the Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology at Rockefeller University. "Use of the kits accelerates the validation of a target protein knockdown in a cell line of interest, thereby enabling researchers to significantly speed-up the use of siRNA to elucidate pathways and to enhance our ability to apply these important new tools to molecular biology and drug discovery research."

The siRNA/siAB kits combine siRNA SMARTpool gene specific reagents from Dharmacon with validated antibodies from Upstate directed against the corresponding protein of interest. More than 35 siRNA/siAB kits are already available, providing researchers with a total solution for performing gene knockdown studies and simultaneously measuring the resulting protein levels. The two companies plan to launch more kits in the coming months, and additional new products also are expected from this collaboration.

"As pioneers in the siRNA field, we knew that combining our market leading reagents with the right antibodies could provide substantial benefits to our customers," said Stephen Scaringe, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Dharmacon. "We found the ideal partner in Upstate, whose antibodies are validated and guaranteed to work with a specific protein, and whose standards and success rates are as high as our own. This partnership with Upstate to produce siRNA/siAB kits illustrates our commitment to collaborating with leading firms to offer innovative products that advance life sciences research."

"Pairing the market leading technologies of Upstate and Dharmacon is a classic example of one plus one equaling three," said Sheridan Snyder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Upstate. "Dharmacon's SMARTpool and SMARTselection technologies offer cell signaling customers the level of reliability and quality they are looking for in siRNA reagents. Its significant siRNA technology advantages, reputation for customer service and dominant position in publication citations make Dharmacon the optimal partner for Upstate in our ongoing efforts to offer customers the most advanced research tools."