Thermo Scientific expands stem cell programme

Thermo Scientific has expanded its Stem Cell Excellence programme, providing new tools and technologies to advance the process of stem cell research.

According to firm, the programme’s portfolio now includes Thermo Scientific HyClone AdvanceSTEM reagents, kits and stem cell lines, as well as the Thermo Scientific Dharmacon Accell siRNA reagent for gene silencing and Nunc cell culture inserts for cell-based assays.

"These products address the needs of researchers conducting stem cell collection and preparation, expansion and differentiation, characterisation and analysis, as well as storage and transport," explains a statement from Thermo Scientific.

It continues by noting that the recently launched AdvanceSTEM line serves "a wide range of stem cell applications" and includes HyClone AdvanceSTEM Serum Replacement.

The latter is said to support the growth of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells "with minimal or no requirement for foetal bovine serum supplementation".

Adopted for use within Thermo Scientific’s programme, breakthrough gene-silencing tool the Dharmacon Accell siRNA range enables uptake by stem cells and other difficult cell types without the use of viral or lipid-based delivery systems.

The company notes that this "innovative capability" greatly simplifies RNA-interference applications by eliminating the barriers associated with previous cellular delivery methods.