RNAi technology is primarily used in two areas, target identification and target validation. With target identification, the effort is focused on high throughput RNAi screening of gene families, druggable genome, or whole genome.
Synthetic siRNA is the preferred solution. For target validation, siRNA is used to validate specific gene functions both in vitro and in vivo. RNAi provides valuable functional data to other drug development technologies, such high throughput gene expression profiling and proteome expression profiling.
The siRNA are designed using the HiPerformance algorithm licensed from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. It differs from other siRNA design algorithms as it uses a neural network approach to design highly effective siRNA. For example, if 4 siRNAs are designed for a target gene, the gene-knockdown success rate exceeds 99 per cent.
HP Guaranteed siRNA provides a solution for RNAi in both basic research and high-throughput screening. The siRNA can be designed to match specific research needs, including design for any species, multiple species, specific splice variants, or particular mRNA regions.
Walter Tian, RNAi business director at Qiagen told DrugResearcher.com: "We identified a gap in the market that required an advanced siRNA design service that provides higher knockdown efficiency, as well as specificity."
Using an innovative neural network approach, Qiagen's HiPerformance siRNA design ensures high success rate in knockdown also providing a homology search to minimise potential for off-target effects.
To avoid off-target effects, a proprietary homology analysis tool that improves on traditional BLAST searches is used. The homology analysis tool can detect and eliminate homologous sequences that BLAST searches may miss, and therefore minimises the potential for off-target effects in RNAi experiments. In addition, the use of multiple functional siRNAs allows independent confirmation of phenotypic effects.
RNAi technology is a tool that has broad application in biomedical research and drug discovery. Our customers consist of academic and government researchers, clinical researchers, and biotech/pharma companies.
"RNAi market is still in strong growing phase. siRNA leads the growth given its simplicity and ease-of-use. We estimate the market is growing at around 30 per cent in revenue. In terms of researchers applying the technology in their labs, the growth is much higher," Tian added.
"Like other technologies, RNAi will be integrated into routine research tools and play a big part in advancing human genome research, and drug development. We are also excited about the prospect that one day, RNAi may become a therapeutic drug to treat diseases such as cancers."
To find out more about this service, visit Qiagen's website