Sigma-Aldrich leading $1.7 billion Life Science company and a member of The RNAi Consortium (TRC), announced the expansion of shRNA gene family sets in lentiviral format for direct use in gene silencing. The Mission TRC shRNA Human Kinases Gene Family is the second in a series of shRNA target sets that allows for rapid RNAi cell-based screens in mammalian systems not easily manipulated by traditional siRNA.

The lentiviral transduction particle format eliminates the need to propagate bacterial cells, purify plasmid DNA or undertake the lengthy process of preparing virus, saving time and valuable resources. Lentiviral-based shRNA can be used to create a stable knockdown in almost any mammalian cell type, including primary and non-dividing cells, a company release stated.

"Studying the essential role kinases play in immune response, metabolism and cell differentiation key, to the discovery and development of new therapeutics. This collection will enhance drug discovery screens and provide insight into important intercellular communication mediated by protein kinases," stated Christina Bailey, Global Strategic Market Manager, and Functional Genomics. "The kinases assembled in this set are ideal for high throughput screens and the establishment of stable knockdown cell lines."

The Mission Trc shRNA Human Kinases are also available as bacterial glycerol stocks. Additional gene family sets are available in both glycerol and lentiviral particle format.