Scientists at the RZPD - Resource Center for Genome Research - recently developed an efficient method for the specific inhibition of gene functions by means of ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Such inhibitions are important for the identification of new target molecules for innovative medicaments. Currently, so-called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the method of choice to "knock-down" the function of particular genes (gene silencing) thereby offering clues about which genes are responsible for the expression of a particular bodily function. In part the application of these molecules was proven to be inefficient. Furthermore, their chemical synthesis is very expensive and their use in high-throughput experiments is uneconomical. The RZPD has now presented a method by which efficient siRNAs can be synthesized economically. Starting point are more than 2,300 different and highly specific long double stranded DNA molecules (dsDNAs). These are degraded in a two-step enzymatic reaction into the desired siRNA molecules. At present these molecules are tested in model experiments in co-operation with the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden.
