QIAGEN to Provide siRNA Libraries in Labcyte Acoustically Compatible Microplates

Labcyte Inc. and QIAGEN have announced that QIAGEN FlexiPlate siRNA reagent libraries are now available in Labcyte Echo^® qualified microplates. These microplates enable researchers to use the Echo^® liquid handler to miniaturize the transfer of small interfering RNA reagents. The Echo liquid handler uses acoustic energy to move fluids without physical contact or the possibility of cross‐contamination. There are no pipette tips, pin tools or nozzles involved, which provides unsurpassed precision and accuracy while reducing volume. The advantages afforded by the Echo liquid handler have been published in many peer‐reviewed journals and include applications in drug discovery, cell‐based analyses, sample management, and assay miniaturization.

“Our Echo platforms have revolutionized liquid handling,” said Mark Fischer‐Colbrie, CEO and president of Labcyte. “Researchers can now transfer significantly smaller volumes while maintaining excellence in precision and accuracy. The reduction in assay volumes and elimination of disposable tips dramatically reduces cost. Data show that siRNA screening at reduced volume is superior or equal to results obtained with traditional liquid handlers.”

“As the first provider to offer flexible and targeted siRNA sets worldwide, QIAGEN is pleased that we have the opportunity to combine our FlexiPlate siRNA concept with Labcyte Echo qualified plates, which minimizes volumes and reduces the risk of contamination during reagent transfer,” says Jörg Dennig, Global Product Manager RNAi at QIAGEN. “Our siRNAs are provided in highly flexible formats and scales with an unlimited possibility to arrange targeted siRNA libraries according to the researchers’ needs, and with easy access via our GeneGlobe website.”

“Providing siRNA libraries in acoustically compatible microplates makes it much easier to consider high‐throughput, miniaturized siRNA screening,” said Dr. Anthony Davies of the Institute of Molecular Medicine, Dublin University, Ireland.

“Echo liquid handlers have already had a significant impact on drug discovery efforts in the pharmaceutical industry. Our technology is now poised to bring similar advances across a wide range of genomic and cell‐based applications,” said Fischer‐Colbrie. “We are pleased to work with QIAGEN in this effort.”