Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

RNA Interference

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

RNA Interference

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

Experimental RNAi

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...

Types of RNA

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...

Types of RNA

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Bacterial clusters are associated with the risk of severe disease progression in inflammatory bowel disease irrespective of conventional disease categories.

Microbiome research reports·2026

Same author

A novel diagnostic serum protein signature for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition·2026

Same author

Systematic review and meta-analysis of childhood exposure to antibiotics and the subsequent risk of IBD.

Inflammatory bowel diseases·2026

Same author

Multi-centered T cell repertoire profiling identifies alterations in the immune repertoire of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease across different disease stages.

Genome medicine·2026

Same author

Specific phenotypes may drive an increased incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in South-Eastern Norway.

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition·2025

Same author

Fetal and Early-Life Antibiotics and Risk of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Nationwide Register Study.

Journal of pediatrics. Clinical practice·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy

Published on: September 5, 2016

Ethical perspectives on RNA interference therapeutics.

Mette Ebbesen¹, Thomas G Jensen, Svend Andersen

¹Centre for Bioethics, Nanoethics, University of Aarhus, Denmark. meb@teo.au.dk

International Journal of Medical Sciences

|July 10, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

RNA interference (RNAi) offers therapeutic potential for various diseases but faces challenges. Ethical considerations, including risk-benefit analysis and patient autonomy, are crucial for its clinical application.

Keywords:

Ethics RNA interference therapeutics.justice respect for autonomy risk-benefit analysis

More Related Videos

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Published on: September 21, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy

Published on: September 5, 2016

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single-stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids

Published on: September 21, 2017

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Genetics
Bioethics

Background:

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing mechanism with therapeutic applications for cancer, infectious, and metabolic disorders.
Clinical trials are underway, but significant hurdles like off-target effects, toxicity, and delivery methods impede its widespread use.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the ethical issues surrounding RNA interference therapeutics.
To apply the bioethical principles of Beauchamp and Childress to RNAi therapy.

Main Methods:

Literature review of RNA interference mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Bioethical analysis using the principles of biomedical ethics (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice).

Main Results:

Therapeutic RNAi necessitates a thorough risk-benefit analysis due to potential harms.
Ethical considerations extend beyond risk-benefit to include patient autonomy and justice in clinical trial participation and healthcare allocation.

Conclusions:

RNA interference presents a promising therapeutic avenue requiring careful ethical deliberation.
Addressing ethical challenges is paramount for the responsible development and implementation of RNAi-based treatments.