The TRC's three-year goal is "to create a comprehensive library of RNA Interference reagents designed to reduce expression of specific human and mouse genes, thereby enabling scientists to elucidate the function of the targeted gene," according to a statement.
To that end, Sigma-Aldrich will help the consortium develop and distribute clones, purified DNA, and viral stocks from the group's RNAi libraries to researchers worldwide, the company said.
Based at The Broad Institute, the consortium comprises seven research institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The Broad Institute, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Academia Sinica. It is also home to four companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and now Sigma.
Financial terms of Sigma's participation were not disclosed.