RNA Interference Technology

Krishnarao Appasani is the Founder of GeneExpression Systems, a gene discovery company focusing on functional genomics in cancer research.

• 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.

Review of the hardback: 'This book is very timely. The chapters on the basics of RNAi, siRNA and miRNAs are an excellent summary of the recent origins of this topic and the various sections dealing with RNAi technology provided comprehensive background material. I am sure that, even with the rapid progress in RNAi , this book will be useful for both newcomers to the field wishing to get an overview and for experienced researchers looking for a summary of published information.' David Baulcombe, Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich