7.344 RNA Interference: A New Tool for Genetic Analysis and Therapeutics, Fall 2004
Author(s)
Kissler, Stephane; Ventura, Andrea
Download7-344-fall-2004/contents/index.htm (36.15Kb)
Alternative title
RNA Interference: A New Tool for Genetic Analysis and Therapeutics
Terms of use
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. To understand and treat any disease with a genetic basis or predisposition, scientists and clinicians need effective ways of manipulating the levels of genes and gene products. Conventional methods for the genetic modification of many experimental organisms are technically demanding and time consuming. Just over 5 years ago, a new mechanism of gene-silencing, termed RNA interference (RNAi), was discovered. In addition to being a fascinating biological process, RNAi provides a revolutionary technology that has already changed the way biomedical research is done and that may even prove useful for genetic interventions in a clinical context. In this course, students learn how RNAi was discovered, how it works, and what its physiological relevance might be. How RNAi can be harnessed to modulate gene expression and perform genetic screens, both in cells and in various organisms is also covered. Finally, this course examines the first attempts to use RNAi for the treatment of models of human diseases in experimental animals.
Date issued
2004-12Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of BiologyOther identifiers
7.344-Fall2004
Other identifiers
7.344
IMSCP-MD5-dccdca513c44a30be6e97bbaf0f2733e
Keywords
RNA interference, RNAi, RNA, genetic analysis, gene therapy, gene products, gene silencing, gene expression, human disease models, mRNA, genetic interference, short interfering RNA, siRNAs, expression vectors, RNA sequences, nucleotide fragments, microRNA, mRNA degradation, transgenic mice, lentivirus, knock-down animals, tissue specificity
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: