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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
Published on: December 28, 2016
Microinjected dsRNA triggers a robust RNAi response in Stentor coeruleus
Makenna Kuecks1, Preeti Arra1, Sarah Hoffmann-Weitsman1
1Biology, Knox College, Galesburg, IL, US.
Abstract:
Stentor coeruleus is an emerging model system for the study of morphogenesis and regeneration as well as behaviors like habituation and photosensation. While Stentor 's genome has been sequenced, genetic tools are currently limited to RNA interference by feeding. Here we show that microinjection of long double-stranded RNA is an effective method for triggering a robust RNAi response. Additionally, microinjection of mob1 dsRNA resulted in cell phenotypes appearing 24 hours earlier than by feeding bacterially expressed dsRNA. This work expands the genetic toolkit in Stentor when RNAi by feeding is not ideal for an experiment.
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