The phenomenon of RNA interference has rapidly moved from groundbreaking scientific discovery to promising therapeutic approach. However, even as RNAi-based drugs enter the clinic, significant challenges remain, particulary in the area of delivery. Therapeutic Applications of RNAi provides detailed protocols in key areas of current focus, including testing of delivery vehicles, identification of appropriate model systems, and evaluation of the effects of RNAi in vivo. Produced by a team of internationally renowned authors, the volume describes the therapeutic applications of RNAi and potential pitfalls in oncology, viral infections and CNS disease, using a variety of delivery methods, including liposomes, peptide-based nanoparticles, polycationic polymers, and viral vehicles. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Therapeutic Applications of RNAi is an ideal guide for scientists attempting to solve the numerous challenges in this field and revolutionize the treatment of disease.

RNAi technology is used for large-scale screens that systematically shut down each gene in the cell, which can help identify the components necessary for a particular cellular process or an event such as cell division. Exploitation of the pathway is also a promising tool in biotechnology and medicine. Introducing new technology in the study of RNA

RNA technologies are the driving forces of modern medicine and biotechnology. They combine the fields of biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physics, nanotechnology and bioinformatics. The combination of these topics is set to revolutionize the medicine of tomorrow. After more than 15 years of extensive research in the field of RNA technologies, the first therapeutics are ready to reach the first patients. Thus we are witnessing the birth of a very exciting time in the development of molecular medicine, which will be based on the methods of RNA technologies. This volume is the first of a series. It covers various aspects of RNA interference and microRNAs, although antisense RNA applications, hammerhead ribozyme structure and function as well as non-coding RNAs are also discussed. The authors are internationally highly respected experts in the field of RNA technologies.

This book presents an overview of the current status of translating the RNAi cancer therapeutics in the clinic, a brief description of the biological barriers in drug delivery, and the roles of imaging in aspects of administration route, systemic circulation, and cellular barriers for the clinical translation of RNAi cancer therapeutics, and with partial content for discussing the safety concerns. It then focuses on imaging-guided delivery of RNAi therapeutics in preclinical development, including the basic principles of different imaging modalities, and their advantages and limitations for biological imaging. With growing number of RNAi therapeutics entering the clinic, various imaging methods will play an important role in facilitating the translation of RNAi cancer therapeutics from bench to bedside. RNAi technique has become a powerful tool for basic research to selectively knock down gene expression in vitro and in vivo. Our scientific and industrial communities have started to develop RNAi therapeutics as the next class of drugs for treating a variety of genetic disorders, such as cancer and other diseases that are particularly hard to address with current treatment strategies. Key Features Provides insight into the current advances and hurdles of RNAi therapeutics. Accelerates RNAi, miRNAs, and siRNA drug development for cancer therapy from bench to bedside. Addresses various modifications and novel delivery strategies for miRNAs, piRNAs and siRNA delivery in anticancer therapeutics. Explores the need for the interaction of hematologists,cell biologists, immunologists, and material scientists in the development of novel cancer therapies. Describes the current status of clinical trials related to miRNA and siRNA-based cancer therapy Presents remaining issues that need to be overcome to establish successful therapies.

RNA Interference (RNAi) technology has rapidly become one of the key methods used in functional genomics. RNAi is used to block the expression of genes and create phenotypes that can potentially yield clues about the function of these genes. In the postgenomic era, the elucidation of the physiological function of genes has become the rate-limiting step in the quest to develop 'gene-based drugs' and RNAi could potentially play a pivotal role in the validation of such novel drugs. In this overview, the basic concepts and applications of RNAi biology are discussed. Leading experts from both academia and industry have contributed to this invaluable reference. The volume is forwarded by Andrew Fire, one of the winners of the 2006 Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA Interference.

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas represent only about 2% of all malignancies; however, their treatment – with the goal of curing the patient while preserving the functionality of the affected body part – can, unlike other malignancies, only be successful with therapy concepts devised by interdisciplinary teams. This volume provides an extensive up-to-date overview of the specific diagnostics and current treatment standards of these rare entities, presenting the various limb-sparing modalities for patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas with special regard to innovative reconstructive options. The evaluation of quality of life based on validated scores and the individual methods of coping with the illness through creative artistic projects are also acknowledged and integrated in the whole concept.

This book provides a compelling overall update on current status of RNA interference

An in-depth treatment of cutting-edge work being done internationally to develop new techniques in crop nutritional quality improvement Phytonutritional Improvement of Crops explores recent advances in biotechnological methods for the nutritional enrichment of food crops. Featuring contributions from an international group of experts in the field, it provides cutting-edge information on techniques of immense importance to academic, professional and commercial operations. World population is now estimated to be 7.5 billion people, with an annual growth rate of nearly 1.5%. Clearly, the need to enhance not only the quantity of food produced but its quality has never been greater, especially among less developed nations. Genetic manipulation offers the best prospect for achieving that goal. As many fruit crops provide proven health benefits, research efforts need to be focused on improving the nutritional qualities of fruits and vegetables through increased synthesis of lycopene and beta carotene, anthocyanins and some phenolics known to be strong antioxidants. Despite tremendous growth in the area occurring over the past several decades, the work has only just begun. This book represents an effort to address the urgent need to promote those efforts and to mobilise the tools of biotechnical and genetic engineering of the major food crops. Topics covered include: New applications of RNA-interference and virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) for nutritional genomics in crop plants Biotechnological techniques for enhancing carotenoid in crops and their implications for both human health and sustainable development Progress being made in the enrichment and metabolic profiling of diverse carotenoids in a range of fruit crops, including tomatoes, sweet potatoes and tropical fruits Biotechnologies for boosting the phytonutritional values of key crops, including grapes and sweet potatoes Recent progress in the development of transgenic rice engineered to massively accumulate flavonoids in-seed Phytonutritional Improvement of Crops is an important text/reference that belongs in all universities and research establishments where agriculture, horticulture, biological sciences, and food science and technology are studied, taught and applied.

In the past three years, the use of double-stranded RNA to silence gene activity has become widely and rapidly adopted. RNA interference is highly specific and remarkably potent, and it acts on cells and tissues far removed from the site of introduction. The principles behind RNAi are just being uncovered, but this laboratory technique has been applied effectively in a wide variety of animal and plant species. Variations on RNAi are revolutionizing many approaches to experimental biology, complementing traditional genetic technologies with a quicker and less expensive way of mimicking the effects of mutations both in cell cultures and in living animals. Recent advances in the use of RNAi to engineer heritable silencing in mammals, to alter stem cells for organ reconstitution, and to alter the course of disease in model systems indicate that RNAi may have a future in disease therapy. Written by pioneers in this new field and edited by Gregory Hannon, one of its leading figures, RNAi: A Guide to Gene Silencing presents the principles of RNAi and reliable protocols for its laboratory use in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, plants, avian embryos, mammalian cells, mouse oocytes, and more. This important and unique book is an essential laboratory resource for scientists studying gene regulation and for all experimental biologists interested in the emerging practical applications of RNAi.

RNA interference has become a key method in the suppression of gene expression and the development of therapeutic agents, yet there is still the problem of delivery, stability, and the danger of off-target effects such as the silencing of unwanted genes and activation of innate immunity. In siRNA and miRNA Gene Silencing: From Bench to Bedside, expert researchers explore the most recent advances in siRNA design, expression, delivery, in vivo imaging, and methods to minimize siRNA’s unwanted effects and promote successful use in patients. As part of the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series, the chapters focus on their respective subjects with easy-to-use, up-to-date information, including several step-by-step laboratory protocols on topics such as new delivery formulations and strategies with promising applications in vitro and in vivo, validated therapeutic target genes, and components of miRNA function, biogenesis, and interference with virus infection. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, siRNA and miRNA Gene Silencing: From Bench to Bedside offers an excellent collection of chapters to aid all those with an interest in RNAi, gene regulation, and new therapies.