Development and Application of RNAi Interference Library in Functional Genomics / 中国生物工程杂志

ABSTRACT

RNA interference ( RNAi) is a process in which double-stranded RNA ( dsRNA) induces specific postranscriptional silencing of homologous transcripts. Systematic silencing of genes on a genome-wide scale using RNAi library targeting many thousands of genes provides a powerful research tool in functional genomics. RNAi libraries, which may be derived from plasmids cloning, virus packaging, PCR amplification, chemically synthesis or enzymatic digestion, have been successfully used to identify gene function, dissect signaling pathway and discover drug targets, etc. Promising progresses have been made in this field. The development, application and problems of RNAi library methodology and future prospects were reviewed.