Mar 11 2009
Sigma-Aldrich (Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced the launch of an online web portal that provides researchers with immediate access to its extensive portfolio of industry-leading products developed specifically for advanced stem cell research. The new portal features over 1,100 unique and highly-focused products that are expected to support every step of the stem cell research workflow - from isolation, characterization, expansion, differentiation and functional profiling to in-vitro/in-vivo tracking. In addition, a team of regenerative medicine experts has been retained to continue to identify and develop new and promising technologies in this growing area. The portal also provides access to a robust stem cell biology community and is available at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/stemcell.
"As a leading destination for life science researchers to access deep biological information and market-leading products, Sigma's focus is to help scientists resolve complex biological questions," said Dr. Dave Smoller, president of the Company's Research Biotech business unit. "Our focus on regenerative medicine and the resulting growing line of stem cell products should help our customers develop cardiac, hematopoietic, endocrine, and neurological disease therapies."
The portal's expanding line of cutting-edge technologies for stem cell research includes the industry's most highly-validated shRNA library, the MISSION(R) RNAi portfolio, which enables gene silencing across a wide range of cellular targets. The site also features the CompoZrTM zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) reagent platform which enables researchers, for the first time, to target and precisely manipulate the genome of both differentiated cells and stem cells, resulting in cell lines or whole organisms with permanent, targeted gene deletions, insertions, or corrections. A complete line of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies is available, including the Prestige Antibodies(R) collection, considered the industry's most highly characterized line of antibodies. StemlineTM animal serum-free media, essential to many researchers in the expansion and maturation of cell lines, is also available.
Stem cell research has the potential to benefit individuals affected by a wide range of debilitating and life threatening conditions. New approaches are expected to make it possible to reprogram differentiated somatic cells, such as fibroblasts, into stem cells which can then be used for a variety of research applications. Sigma-Aldrich provides access to a growing portfolio of specialized platforms and products to support these businesses.