RNAi Library Screening

RNA interference (RNAi) has rapidly become a powerful tool for carrying out genome scale loss-of-function studies leading to desired endpoints such as changes in protein phosphorylation/ functional activity, in addition to cell morphology or viability. Many researchers employ RNAi libraries to conduct comprehensive biology-level experiments to identify new cellular networks. These investigations provide a deeper understanding of a variety of intra-cellular processes in different organisms and, ultimately, provide more effective leads to creating new and improving existing therapies for a myriad of human, animal and plant diseases.

Several methods have been developed to introduce small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules into target cells, however as with other nucleic acid-based approaches, large scale RNAi library screens are best executed with an automated liquid handling workstation. The automation protects contamination of these limited sample supply. Additionally, the scale of these studies requires a precise and automated workflow to ensure reliable data comparisons between thousands of collected data points.

The JANUS® Automated Workstation satisfies all of the above requirements easily and efficiently. Our family of JANUS automated liquid handling workstations are flexible and can be easily integrated with a variety of plate readers, incubators, plate washes, additional plate storage devices and other automation-friendly instruments to provide you with the most effective tools.

The JANUS automated workstation will enable:

  • Drug discovery: interrogating receptor signaling pathways by “knock-down” of scaffold proteins, GRKs, and effector proteins.
  • RNAi supports the examination of ‘knock-down’ gene products in cellular signaling and physiology to achieve faster results.

Get the benefits:

  • Fully automated ‘walk-away’ workstation provides reliable sample handling with no cross-contamination
  • Using the ultra-compatible Varispan pipetting technology, you will gain access to variety of labware including lower density tissue culture plates and high density 384-well plates, supporting nucleic acid work and delivery into culture systems
  • Reduce sample carry-over and cross contamination.
  • High density Modular Dispense Technology ™ (MDT) pipetting heads provide increased throughput.
  • Modular and scalable design allows you to integrate existing instruments and add processes as your protocols evolve.

Recommended JANUS system configuration:

  • JANUS Mini, Standard or Expanded Platform with Varispan (4- or 8-Tip) Arm and/or P30, 384 channel MDT Head, or P235, 96 channel MDT dispense heads
  • For Varispan: VersaTip Plus and Low Volume Disposable Tip Option