MicroRNAs (miRNA) are tiny bits of genetic material that were unknown nearly 10 years ago but now represent an exciting field of study in biology. Upon their discovery, researchers revealed for the first time a new mechanism by which microRNA can stop the function of messenger RNA (mRNA) by literally cutting it in half, interfering with the normal function of specific messenger RNAs in gene expression.

This "expression" of genes that code for essential proteins is essentially what controls whether a cell turns into a liver, lung, or brain cell, for example. Understanding what activates...

Understanding gene function and regulation requires rigorous testign in live cells and organisms. Recent advances have provided a variety of new strategies for delivering DNA and RNA into cells and probing their expression, as well as new clinical applications that rely upon the introduction of genetic material. The vast number of avaiable techniques for clinical and laboratory research often makes selecting the optimal method a difficult process. Gene Transfer: Delivery and Expression of DNA and RNA provides the first comprehensive guide to technical approaches for delivering nucleic acids...

This volume concentrates on the most relevant oligonucleotide research and drug development areas and emphasizes the basic mechanisms and biology of oligonucleotide reagents.

Chapters are devoted to RNAi, oligonucleotide delivery, and immunomodulation. Because of the advanced stages of oligonucleotide-based drug development, preclinical and clinical data are also presented by leaders in the field.

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SiRNA Delivery Methods