Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

09:09
Preparation of Neutrally-charged, pH-responsive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Cytosolic siRNA Delivery
Published on: May 2, 2019
Therapeutic siRNA: principles, challenges, and strategies
Kseniya Gavrilov1, W Mark Saltzman
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. kseniya.gavrilov@yale.edu
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
|June 28, 2012
Summary
RNA interference (RNAi) offers targeted gene silencing for diseases like cancer. Overcoming in vivo delivery challenges for small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is key to unlocking RNAi therapeutics potential.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural gene regulation process.
- RNAi enables sequence-specific gene silencing.
- RNAi has potential for targeted therapeutics in viral diseases and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the mechanistic principles of RNA interference.
- Discuss the potential of RNAi therapeutics.
- Identify challenges and engineering solutions for in vivo siRNA delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of RNA interference mechanisms.
- Analysis of challenges in siRNA delivery.
- Exploration of engineered delivery systems.
Main Results:
- RNAi is a powerful gene silencing tool.
- In vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a major hurdle.
- Delivery systems must improve siRNA stability, targeting, and immune response.
Conclusions:
- RNAi therapeutics hold significant promise.
- Effective siRNA delivery is critical for clinical translation.
- Engineering delivery systems is essential to overcome current limitations.
Keywords:
RNA interferencechemical modificationdeliveryliposomenanoparticlesiRNAtargetingtherapeuticsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
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...
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...
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 (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...
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 (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...
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...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...

