RNAi Services

RNAi Services

Overview

RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon by which the expression of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) specifically stimulates a cellular process that reduces gene expression in a sequence specific manner. Small synthetic RNA, termed small interfering RNAs (siRNA), which are typically 21-28 nucleotides in length, can induce RNAi and knockdown gene expression in mammalian cells without inducing an antiviral response. siRNA must be transfected into cells in order for the RNAi pathway to be initiated, and this transfection process is usually more difficult than standard DNA or RNA transfection. Part of the reason is that siRNA is not well-adapted for usage with standard buffers, and requires special formulations (such as liposomes) in order to successfully enter cells. Despite such a disadvantage, RNAi techniques have generally higher efficiencies than stable transfections, as siRNA does not need to enter the nucleus in order to function in the RNAi pathway.

Applications

Gene silencing by RNA Interference (RNAi) is a powerful research tool for studying gene functions in mammalian cells. By selectively inhibiting certain genes, and measuring protein expression as a result, certain mechanisms can be elucidated and cellular processes can be defined. One widespread application has been the development of siRNA libraries, which screen a large variety of siRNA segments to determine which genes are responsible for certain kinds of proteins. These libraries can then be used for drug development and the determining of off-target effects of other kinds of gene-inhibition technologies (such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene modification). The development of such a library can require extensive resources and time, as the usually high-throughput screening of siRNA segments can require thousands of individual experiments. Modern day technologies have allowed for robots to perform such library development, and many companies provide the service as well. Laboratories generally do not have the time to perform in-house siRNA screening, and outsourcing the process can save both time and money.

RNAi also has the potential to become a future therapeutic technology; by inhibiting protein expression, certain diseases can be cured. Many diseases, such as dwarfism, are caused by the over-expression of certain proteins. The issue at stake then becomes the actual expression of the protein, rather than the protein itself, which means that genetic modification is not entirely necessary. Through the RNAi pathway, selective protein expression can be inhibited, thus resulting in a successful mitigation of symptoms. Although currently RNAi therapeutics are still in the initial stage of development, in the future they may transform the pharmaceutical market.

Altogen Labs RNAi Products and Services

Altogen Labs offers several RNAi Services aimed at helping researchers perform their own siRNA transfections and develop custom siRNA libraries. Occasionally, full libraries may not be necessary, and particular experiments may only require a limited range of siRNA segments to be tested. Such small-scale experiments may still take considerable time to perform, so contracting a company will still be more efficient than in-house development. Altogen Labs provides several siRNA services, a few of which are listed below:

• siRNA transfection optimization service
• Design and synthesis of siRNA targeting gene of interest
• Custom siRNA assay development, siRNA library screening
• Gene of interest knockdown service

Please contact us at techserv@altogen.com for more information. Experimental details will help us provide an accurate quote.

What is RNAi Service?

RNAi services refer to a range of laboratory services that provide support for RNA interference (RNAi) research, including the design and synthesis of siRNA molecules, siRNA transfection, and functional analysis of gene knockdown.

RNAi services may include the following:

1. siRNA design and synthesis: RNAi service providers can design and synthesize custom siRNA molecules tailored to specific target genes.
2. siRNA transfection: RNAi service providers can perform siRNA transfection experiments to knock down gene expression in a variety of cell types.
3. High-throughput siRNA screening: RNAi service providers can conduct high-throughput siRNA library screening to identify genes involved in specific cellular processes or disease phenotypes.
4. Off-target analysis: RNAi service providers can perform off-target analysis to ensure that the siRNA molecules used do not produce unintended effects on non-target genes.
5. Functional analysis: RNAi service providers can conduct functional analysis of gene knockdown to evaluate the impact of siRNA-mediated gene silencing on cellular processes or disease phenotypes.

RNAi services can be particularly useful for researchers who lack the expertise or resources to perform RNAi experiments in-house, or for those who require specialized siRNA design and synthesis or high-throughput screening. By outsourcing RNAi services, researchers can save time and resources, while also obtaining high-quality data and results.