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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...

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...

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...

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Published on: June 9, 2017

RNAi-based gene silencing in chicken brain development.

Irwin Andermatt¹, Esther T Stoeckli

¹Institute of Molecular Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|September 20, 2013

Summary

The chicken embryo offers a powerful model for studying gene function during development, overcoming mammalian limitations. RNA interference (RNAi) techniques provide precise temporal control over gene silencing in developing chicken embryos.

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

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In ovo Electroporation of miRNA-based Plasmids in the Developing Neural Tube and Assessment of Phenotypes by DiI Injection in Open-book Preparations

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Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Genetics
Animal Models

Background:

Mammalian models like mice are standard for gene function analysis using loss-of-function studies.
Studying gene function during mammalian embryonic development is challenging due to potential embryonic lethality from early gene inactivation.
Precise temporal control of gene silencing is crucial for overcoming these developmental study limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the chicken embryo as a superior model for developmental gene function studies.
To demonstrate the utility of RNA interference (RNAi) for temporal gene silencing in avian embryos.
To present in ovo and ex ovo RNAi techniques for precise developmental analysis.

Main Methods:

Utilizing the chicken embryo as an accessible model for experimental manipulation during development.
Implementing RNA interference (RNAi) for targeted gene silencing.
Applying both in ovo (within the egg) and ex ovo (outside the egg) RNAi techniques.

Main Results:

Chicken embryos provide accessibility for experimental manipulation throughout development.
RNAi-based gene silencing in chicken embryos allows for precise temporal control.
Both in ovo and ex ovo RNAi methods enable effective gene silencing at specific developmental stages.

Conclusions:

The chicken embryo, combined with RNAi, is a powerful and versatile model for studying gene function during development.
Precise temporal control of gene silencing is achievable in chicken embryos using in ovo and ex ovo RNAi.
This model system overcomes limitations encountered in mammalian developmental studies.