RNAi libraries

Sigma-Aldrich has introduced the Mission RNAi product line, including the first available formats for the RNAi Consortium (TRC) shRNA libraries.

The Mission TRC shRNA clone libraries will comprise a comprehensive collection of 150,000 pre-cloned lentiviral-based shRNA vector constructs targeting 15,000 human genes (Mission TRC-Hs1.0) and 15,000 mouse genes (Mission TRC-Mm1.0).

Design and development of the TRC libraries is being led by the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. Sigma-Aldrich recently entered into an agreement with MIT to serve as a scientific collaborator and distribution partner of TRC, which comprises seven academic research institutions and four commercial life science research partners.

To date, the collection includes approximately 35,000 shRNA vector constructs targeting 5300 human genes and 2200 mouse genes. The libraries will be expanded on a quarterly basis to include new gene targets. Each target is currently represented by an average of 3-5 shRNA vectors supplied individually in frozen bacterial glycerol stock format.

Compared to existing synthetic siRNAs, the Mission shRNA clones will provide a renewable resource that can be propagated as needed. On transfection of the purified plasmid DNA, transient or stable gene silencing may be achieved depending on the desired duration of phenotypic observation. In addition, the clones may be combined with lentiviral packaging systems for infection and integration into the genomes of traditionally difficult cell lines such as primary cells and non-dividing cells.