HERCULES, Calif., July 28, 2008 – Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO and BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, announced today the availability of two bulletins (numbers 5713 and 5692) describing a major study demonstrating how real-time quantitative PCR (rt-qPCR) analysis provides a convenient and reliable method for evaluating the knockdown efficiency and functional consequences of RNAi-mediated gene silencing. The study uses examples from neuroblastoma research conducted at Bio-Rad and by researchers at Ghent University, Belgium. Real-time quantitative PCR is the method of choice for accurate, sensitive, and specific quantitation of nucleic acid sequences. Applications of this technology are numerous, both in molecular diagnostics and in virtually all fields of life sciences, including gene expression profiling, measurement of DNA copy number alterations, genotyping, mutation detection, pathogen detection, measurement of viral load, disease monitoring, and assessment of drug response. Several ingredients are essential to the successful and reliable completion of an rt-qPCR assay, such as careful primer design and evaluation, template preparation, the use of a robust normalization strategy, and accurate data analysis. Bulletin 5713 describes the workflow steps needed for successful neuroblastoma experimentation, from experimental design to analysis of an rt-qPCR assay through careful attention to primer design and evaluation, template preparation, normalization strategy, and data analysis. Bulletin 5692 provides additional information on the experiments that contributed to research number 5713, including instruments, reagents, and procedures. Future neuroblastoma studies are planned to evaluate results achieved using additional cell lines and varying combinations of multiple siLentMer™ siRNA duplexes, durations of effect, and concentrations of active siLentMer siRNA duplexes. About the CFX96 PCR Detection System The Bio-Rad CFX96™ real-time PCR detection system offers users a way to achieve sensitive target detection in single (or multiplex assays) for a variety of real-time PCR applications in addition to reliable performance and higher throughput options. The CFX Manager software enables rapid quantitative and built-in gene expression analysis and also has powerful data analysis tools. About Bio-Rad Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs approximately 6,300 people globally and had revenues approaching $1.5 billion in 2007. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.