Waltham, MA (OBBeC) - Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that it has acquired Open Biosystems, a provider of RNA interference (RNAi), gene expression and protein detection products for life science research and drug discovery and development.

Open Biosystems, which is based in Huntsville, Alabama, specializes in short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) and viral-vector systems for delivering shRNA into living cells. The company offers complete shRNA libraries for the entire human and mouse genomes. Correspondingly, Thermo Fisher Scientific is a provider of small-interfering RNA (siRNA), sold through its Thermo Scientific Dharmacon line.

In addition to its RNAi business, Open Biosystems offers extensive collections of complementary DNA (cDNA) and open reading frame (ORF) vectors for gene expression, as well as custom antibody services for detection of changes in cellular protein levels. Open Biosystems, which had annual revenues of approximately $14 million in 2007, will be integrated into Thermo Fisher's Analytical Technologies Segment.