Labcyte Inc., a leader in miniaturization technologies for liquid handling, announced that Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, is offering the option for customers to receive siRNA (small-interfering RNA) reagent libraries in Labcyte Echo qualified source plates. This format enables customers to use the Echo liquid handler to transfer RNAi reagents during experiments, eliminating manual handling, reducing volumes, lowering costs and decreasing the risk of contamination.

The Echo liquid handler, used in scientific research and drug discovery, uses acoustic energy to move fluids without physical contact with the sample. There are no pipette tips, pin tools or nozzles involved. This “touchless” dispensing eliminates the possibility of contaminating the RNAi stocks and allows for easy preparation of assay-ready plates. It also reduces costs associated with laboratory consumables and reduces labor by making the process more efficient.

“Our revolutionary instruments allow users to significantly lower transfer volumes, leading to dramatic reductions in cost,” said Mark Fischer-Colbrie, CEO and president of Labcyte. “Researchers show that low-volume siRNA transfections using acoustic transfer are equal or superior to those obtained with traditional liquid handlers. Cross-contamination is eliminated and transfection rates improve. Costs are further reduced with the elimination of disposable pipettes.”

Mike Deines, global director of marketing for Thermo Scientific genomics products, added, “We are delighted to provide our customers with the option to have our siRNA libraries delivered in Echo qualified format. Our customers have expressed a strong desire for acoustic transfer technology for siRNA libraries, and our collaboration with Labcyte has helped to bring a highquality product to market quickly.”

One of the first customers to receive Thermo Scientific siRNA reagents in the Echo qualified plates is Dr Spiros Linardopoulos, team leader in the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Therapeutics Unit, at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. “Having siRNAs in Echo qualified plates offers us greater flexibility, total control of the remaining volume at any time and reduced risk of contamination,” said Dr. Linardopoulos. “We are very pleased to receive our libraries in this format.”

Additionally, researchers at Southern Research Institute, a not-for-profit drug discovery organization located in Birmingham, Alabama, have developed strategies for siRNA high throughput screening using Echo technology to transfer siRNAs to assay plates.

“Echo liquid handlers are advancing drug discovery efforts across a wide range of genomic and cell-based applications,” said Fischer-Colbrie. “Our unique technology enables techniques that were previously impossible and is opening the door to new biologic and small-molecule therapies. We are pleased to be working with Thermo Fisher Scientific in this joint effort.”