RNA interference

Gene targeting strategies based on ribozymes and RNAi for the specific depletion of cellular gene expression

The sequence-specific cleavage of RNA molecules through ribozyme-targeting or RNA interference (RNAi) allows the highly efficient and selective reduction of gene expression of any chosen protein. Ribozyme-targeting and RNAi therefore offer very potent strategies in proteomics / target validation in the functional analysis of genes. Furthermore, they represent potentially useful avenues in gene therapy by downregulating genes that are overexpressed under pathological conditions.

We employ RNAi for therapeutic applications and functional analyses in tumors.

Overview of the RNAi mechanism in mammalian cells
(Aigner, J. Biomed. Biotechnol., 2006)