Norbert Perrimon1,2, Jian-Quan Ni1,2 and Lizabeth Perkins3
-Author Affiliations
1Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
2Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02175
3Pediatric Surgical Research Labs, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Correspondence:perrimon@receptor.med.harvard.edu
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SUMMARY
RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful reverse genetics approach to analyze gene functions both in tissue culture and in vivo. Because of its widespread applicability and effectiveness it has become an essential part of the tool box kits of model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, and the mouse. In addition, the use of RNAi in animals in which genetic tools are either poorly developed or nonexistent enables a myriad of fundamental questions to be asked. Here, we review the methods and applications of in vivo RNAi to characterize gene functions in model organisms and discuss their impact to the study of developmental as well as evolutionary questions. Further, we discuss the applications of RNAi technologies to crop improvement, pest control and RNAi therapeutics, thus providing an appreciation of the potential for phenomenal applications of RNAi to agriculture and medicine.
Copyright © 2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved
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