RNA Silencing – RNA Interference and The initial discovery of RNA interference.pdfVIP

RNA Silencing – RNA Interference • a new method for silencing specific genes • a potent method requiring only a few molecules per cell to be effective • a systemic method spreading out through the whole organism • to some extent hereditary and can be transmitted through the germline for several generations • epigenetic (transmission of phenotypes by mechanisms other than DNA sequence changes) The initial discovery of RNA interference • Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans • initial observa