RNA Interference Technology
From Basic Science to Drug Development

This book provides an overview of RNA interference (RNAi) technology, covering both fundamental science and applications.

Krishnarao Appasani (Edited by), Andrew Fire (Foreword by), Marshall Nirenberg (Foreword by)

9780521205177, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 August 2011

546 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 2.8 cm, 0.94 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This book provides an excellent, comprehensive description of the current state of the art, in a clear and readily absorbable format, suitable for a wide scientific audience.' Society for General Microbiology

RNA Interference (RNAi) technology has rapidly become one of the key methods used in functional genomics. RNAi is used to block the expression of genes and create phenotypes that can potentially yield clues about the function of these genes. In the postgenomic era, the elucidation of the physiological function of genes has become the rate-limiting step in the quest to develop 'gene-based drugs' and RNAi could potentially play a pivotal role in the validation of such novel drugs. In this overview, the basic concepts and applications of RNAi biology are discussed. Leading experts from both academia and industry have contributed to this invaluable reference. The volume is forwarded by Andrew Fire, one of the winners of the 2006 Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA Interference.

Part I. Basic RNAi, siRNA and Gene Silencing Mechanisms: 1. RNAi beginnings: overview of the pathway in C. elegans
2. Dicer in RNAi: its roles in vivo and utility in vitro
3. Genes required for RNAi
4. MicroRNAs: a small contribution from worms
5. miRNAs in the brain and the application of RNAi to neurons
Part II. Design and Synthesis of siRNAs: 6. Design and synthesis of small interfering RNA (siRNA)
7. Automated design and high throughput synthesis of siRNA
8. Rational design of siRNAs with the Sfold software
9. Enzymatic production of siRNAS
Part III. Vector Development and In Vivo, In Vitro and In Ovo Delivery Methods: 10. Six methods of inducing RNAi in mammalian cells
11. Viral delivery of siRNA
12. siRNA delivery by lentiviral vectors: design and applications
13. Liposomal delivery of siRNAs in mice
14. Chemical modifications to achieve increased stability and sensitive detection of siRNA
15. RNAi in postimplantation mouse embryos
16. In ovo RNAi opens new possibilities for functional genomics in vertebrates
Part IV. Gene Silencing in Model Organisms: 17. Practical applications of RNAi in C. elegans
18. Inducible RNAi as a forward genetic tool in Trypanosoma brucei
19. RNAi gene silencing in yeast
20. RNA silencing in filamentous fungi: Mucor circinelloides as a model organism
21. RNAi and gene silencing phenomenon mediated by viral suppressors in plants
Part V. Drug Target Validation: 22. Delivering siRNA in vivo for functional genomics and novel therapeutics
23. The role of RNAi in drug target validation: application to Hepatitis C
24. RNAi in the drug discovery process
25. RNAi: use in the drug discovery process
Part VI. Therapeutic and Drug Development: 26. RNAi-mediated silencing of viral gene expression and replication
27. RNAi in drug development: practical considerations
28. RNAi for the treatment of liver diseases
29. RNAi applications in animal systems
Part VII. Genome Wide RNAi and High Through-Put Analysis: 30. High through-put RNAi-by-soaking in Caenorhabditis elegans
31. Tools for integrative genomics: genome-Wide RNAi and expression profiling in Drosophila
32. Microarray analysis and RNA silencing to determine genes functionally important in Mesothelioma
33. High through-put RNAi
34. Generation of highly specific vector-based shRNAi libraries directed against the entire human genome.

Subject Areas: Biotechnology [TCB], Molecular biology [PSD], DNA & Genome [PSAK1], Genetics [non-medical PSAK]