Sigma-Aldrich launches KiCqStart Primers for gene expression

Sigma-Aldrich has announced the launch of KiCqStart Primers, a series of unique primer pairs for use in quantifying gene expression.

The company's Sigma Life Science business has introduced the primer pairs to provide a rapid, cost-effective and consistent method for gene expression quantification with two-step or one-step SYBR Green I reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

KiCqStart Primers complement the company's extensive portfolio of qPCR probes, reagents and oligonucleotide services and have been developed using advanced bioinformatics tools to avoid common flaws of qPCR systems.

They are currently available for human, mouse and rat genes, with primer pairs for other species to be added as they become available.

Shaf Yousaf, chief marketing officer at Sigma-Aldrich, said: "Researchers are now able to conveniently select primer pairs using our state-of-the-art, online gene search tool."

According to the firm's most recent financial report, Sigma-Aldrich saw a year-on-year sales growth of four percent in the second quarter of 2012.