New Economical Method of Gene Silencing

An alternative, more efficient way to accomplish the specific inhibition of gene functions by means of RNAs has been developed.

Currently, small interfering (si) RNAs are the method of choice to "knockdown” the function of particular genes, thereby offering clues about which genes are responsible for the expression of a particular bodily function. However, the application of these molecules has proven to be inefficient, their chemical synthesis is very expensive, and their use in high-throughput screening experiments is uneconomical. An alternative method of gene silencing has been developed by the nonprofit German Resource Center for Genome Research (RZPD, Berlin, Germany).

To use this method, RZPD first manufactured and verified gene-specific products for some 36,000 Unigene Clusters. These were represented by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products, which were amplified using two gene-specific primers per gene, avoiding repetitive or conserved sequences. Then T7 promoters were added to convert these double stranded (ds)DNAs into dsRNAs by in vitro transcription. These long dsRNA molecules can be cut by Dicer or RNaseII (exonuclease II) into functional siRNAs. The final products are potent tools for the specific knockdown of genes, often superior to synthesized siRNA oligos.

RZPD is a service center for genomics and proteomics research. Based on one of the largest clone collections worldwide, it provides high quality research material, high throughput technology, and automation solutions for academic institutions as well as for industry. A wide variety of materials and services are available. No intellectual property is claimed by RZPD for results derived from the use of its material.




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