GenScript vector-based siRNA technology is an adaptation of GenScript gene synthesis technology to the rise of RNA interference (RNAi) as a powerful tool for gene function analysis and drug target validation. The GenScript siRNA technology package includes siRNA design, siRNA vectors, and custom siRNA construction. GenScript siRNA technology has several advantages over synthetic siRNA methods as follows:
- It produces highly reliable siRNA constructs at minimal cost.
- Its products are more stable and last longer.
- It frees scientists from the time-consuming and difficult task of siRNA vector construction.
Vector-based siRNA Technology
Short siRNA molecules can be prepared either by traditional RNAi methods, which involve the use of synthetic RNA duplexes consisting of two unmodified 21-oligonucleotide molecules annealed together, or by transcription driven by RNA polymerase promoters. The two most critical factors in determining the effectiveness of RNAi experiments are the ability of the siRNA sequence to silence the specific target mRNA and the efficiency with which the siRNA construct or expression vector can be transfected into the cells.
The direct transfection of chemically synthesized siRNA duplexes into cells, originally demonstrated by Rockefeller University's Tuschl Lab, is currently the most popular approach. However, the success of this technique is heavily dependent on the ability of the model cell system to undergo transfection and to sustain the RNAi effect. Also, the noncontinuous presence of siRNA in the cell renders this technique less feasible for long-term studies. This issue, like many other drawbacks of direct siRNA transfection, is completely sidestepped in the case of DNA-vector-based siRNA.