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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Virus-induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in Nicotiana benthamiana and Tomato
Published on: June 10, 2009
Gene silencing of virus replication by RNA interference
1Department of Life and Environmental Sciences and High Technology Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technology, 2-17-1 Narashino, Tsudanuma, 275-0016 Chiba, Japan.
Abstract:
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are as effective as long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) at targeting and silencing genes by RNA interference (RNAi). siRNAs are widely used for assessing gene function in cultured mammalian cells or early developing vertebrate embryos. They are also promising reagents for developing gene-specific therapeutics. The specific inhibition of viral replication is particularly well suited to RNAi, as several stages of the viral life cycle and many viral and cellular genes can be targeted. The future success of this approach will depend on the recent advances in siRNA-based clinical trials.
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