Journal of RNAi and Gene Silencing (February 2006), 2(1), 109-117

Review

Designer siRNAs to overcome the challenges from the RNAi pathway

Sumedha D Jayasena

ABSTRACT

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based technology is playing a pivotal role in understanding gene function. Huge siRNA libraries coupled to high-content screening are being applied to decipher molecular circuitries, as well as to identify novel therapeutic targets. Further, the technology is finding its way towards therapeutic applications. In the midst of all this excitement, the siRNA technology is faced with challenges, arising mostly from siRNAs being a nucleic acid molecule, and also from the baggage it inherits from the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, which is critical to the function of siRNAs.

KEYWORDS: RNAi, siRNA, microRNA, gene silencing, off-target effects, siRNA design, siRNA delivery, shRNA expression, immune activation

Amgen Inc., Oncology Research, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA

Correspondence to: Sumedha D Jayasena, Email: sumedhaj@amgen.com, Tel: +805 447 5627, Fax: +805 499 2751

© Copyright Sumedha D Jayasena

(Received 13 October 2005; Revised 17 November 2005; Accepted 21 November 2005)