Open Biosystems' Open Access RNAi Program Adopted by University of Copenhagen and University of Queensland

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Biosystems, Inc., announced today that leading research institutions, the Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Diamantina Institute at the University of Queensland, and the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) along with the University of Copenhagen have recently purchased access to Open Biosystems shRNAmir technologies for RNAi by joining the Open Access RNAi(TM) Program.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070423/CLM143LOGO )

Both institutions purchased access to Open Biosystems' lentiviral shRNAmir human and mouse libraries developed in collaboration with Dr. Greg Hannon and Dr. Steve Elledge and exclusively distributed through Open Biosystems.

"Once complete, the Institute for Molecular Bioscience's lentiviral screening facility will be unique in the Southern Hemisphere," Professor John Hancock, Deputy Director (Research) of the IMB, said. "Open Biosystems' Open Access RNAi Program will give all of our research groups access to this valuable genomic screening resource. This will allow our researchers to conduct whole genome or customized gene set knock down experiments that will greatly facilitate discovery in our cell, developmental biology and cancer research programs."

"The lentiviral shRNAmir libraries are important tools for our high throughput genomic facilities," said Professor Kristian Helin, Director of BRIC. "The research groups at University of Copenhagen will now have access to state-of-the art screening facilities to discover novel genes involved in cell-fate decisions and disease."

"We are excited to see worldwide adoption of our Open Access Program. This fuels our ongoing mission to make leading edge technology broadly available in a technically supported and cost-effective way. Lentiviral RNAi screening facilities such as these being developed by our Open Access partners puts genome scale RNAi screening within the reach of all researchers. This will surely accelerate the pace of research and the treatment of human disease," said Troy Moore, Chief Technology Officer at Open Biosystems.

Open Biosystems' portfolio of RNAi resources include shRNAmir lentiviral and retroviral libraries targeting the entire human and mouse genomes, the RNAi Consortium human and mouse lentiviral shRNA libraries as well as RNAi collections targeting Drosophila, C. elegans and Arabidopsis thaliana. Participation in the Open Access RNAi program, provides researchers the most complete and flexible access to their choice of these rapidly evolving RNAi technologies.

About Open Access RNAi

The Open Biosystems Open Access RNAi Program gives entire academic systems, including multiple campuses, access to the company's advanced shRNA libraries, priority technical support, and continued access to all extensions of existing libraries as well as library upgrades. In this manner, Open Biosystems supports academic research without imposing heavy financial burdens on individual labs. The program is customizable and can be tailored to fit the diverse needs of research institutions worldwide. Complete details can be found at www.openbiosystems.com/OpenAccessRNAi

About Open Biosystems

Open Biosystems, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets genomic research tools to scientists and researchers in corporate, academic and government laboratories. These research tools provide investigators with standardized high-quality genes, RNAi and antibodies for interrogating gene function in relation to oncology, neuroscience and metabolic disorders. Founded in 2001, Open Biosystems is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. For more information and details for ordering, please visit www.openbiosystems.com



CONTACT: Gwen Fewell of Open Biosystems, Inc., +1-256-319-1489,
Gwen.Fewell@openbiosystems.com

Web site: http://www.openbiosystems.com/
http://www.openbiosystems.com/OpenAccessRNAi/

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