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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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Planarian Ovary Dissection for Ultrastructural Analysis and Antibody Staining

Planarian Ovary Dissection for Ultrastructural Analysis and Antibody Staining

Published on: September 10, 2021

Gene knockdown in planarians using RNA interference.

Néstor J Oviedo¹, Cindy L Nicolas, Dany S Adams

¹Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Forsyth Institute and Developmental Biology Department, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

|March 2, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This protocol details gene knockdown in planarians via RNA interference (RNAi) by microinjecting double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This standard method effectively assesses gene function in regeneration and tissue maintenance, yielding observable phenotypes.

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Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

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Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

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RNA Interference in Aquatic Beetles as a Powerful Tool for Manipulating Gene Expression at Specific Developmental Time Points

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Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

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Published on: December 28, 2016

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

Planarians are a key model organism for studying regeneration and tissue homeostasis.
Understanding gene function is crucial for elucidating biological processes in planarians.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a detailed protocol for gene knockdown in planarians using RNA interference (RNAi).
To establish a reliable method for assessing gene function in planarian regeneration and tissue maintenance.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in vitro.
Microinjection of synthesized dsRNA into planarians.
Evaluation of gene function through observed phenotypes.

Main Results:

The RNAi protocol enables effective gene knockdown in planarians.
Robust and observable phenotypes can be generated depending on the gene target.
The technique facilitates downstream macroscopic and microscopic analyses.

Conclusions:

RNA interference is a standard and effective technique for gene knockdown in planarians.
This protocol supports functional genomics studies in planarian regeneration and tissue maintenance.