New England BioLabs has introduced its ShortCut RNAi kit, a system for the in vitro generation of short double-stranded RNA mixtures for RNAi experiments in mammalian cells.
The kit includes reagents for both high-yield in vitro transcription of large dsRNA and subsequent processing into short fragments, of 18 to 25 nucleotides, using highly concentrated RNase III with a modified reaction buffer containing manganese. The kit is good for 100 transfections and sells for $400.
Ambion recently launched its mirVana miRNA isolation kit, which is designed for the isolation of small RNAs — including micro RNA, short interfering RNA, and small nuclear RNA — from tissues and cells. Each kit can be used for up to 40 purifications, said Ambion, and sells for $200.
CRC Press has scheduled for publication a new book on RNA interference for mid-April next year. The book, called Gene Silencing by RNA Interference: Technology and Application, lists Muhammad Sohail from the University of Oxford as editor.
The text can be advance ordered at www.crcpress.com/shopping_cart/products/product_detail.asp?sku=2141&parent_id=&pc=.