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Related Concept Videos

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

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...
RNA Interference01:23

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 Interference01:23

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...
Types of RNA01:20

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...
Types of RNA01:23

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 RNA01:20

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Using In Vitro and In-cell SHAPE to Investigate Small Molecule Induced Pre-mRNA Structural Changes
11:58

Using In Vitro and In-cell SHAPE to Investigate Small Molecule Induced Pre-mRNA Structural Changes

Published on: January 30, 2019

siRNA vs. shRNA: similarities and differences.

Donald D Rao1, John S Vorhies, Neil Senzer

  • 1Gradalis, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA. DRao@gradalisinc.com

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|April 25, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

RNA interference (RNAi) offers targeted gene knockdown. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and bi-functional shRNA show promise for potent, sustained therapeutic effects with fewer off-target issues than small interfering RNA (siRNA).

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Using In Vitro and In-cell SHAPE to Investigate Small Molecule Induced Pre-mRNA Structural Changes
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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural gene regulation mechanism.
  • Identifying molecular tumor network hubs enables targeted gene knockdown strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare different RNA interference (RNAi) methods: small interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and bi-functional shRNA.
  • To evaluate their suitability for therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Review and comparison of siRNA, shRNA, and bi-functional shRNA technologies.
  • Analysis of their manufacturing, delivery, potency, sustainability, and off-target effects.

Main Results:

  • siRNA is simple to manufacture and transient, suitable for certain conditions.
  • Optimized shRNA constructs offer high potency and sustained effects with reduced off-target effects, especially within miRNA scaffolds.
  • Bi-functional shRNA designs may further improve therapeutic safety and efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • shRNA and bi-functional shRNA present advantages over siRNA for sustained RNAi therapeutics.
  • Further research is needed on tumor-selective delivery and comprehensive off-target effect evaluation.