RNA Interference Technology: From Basic Science to Drug Development

Synopsis

2005 Overview Of Rna Interference (rnai) Technology, Covering Both Fundamental Science And Applications.

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reviewer:eugene A Davidson, Phd(georgetown University School Of Medicine)
description:this Book Provides Comprehensive Coverage Of Rna Interference Technology. Applications And Use In Drug Development Are A Central Feature.
purpose:the Goal Is To Describe Both The Current Utility And The Potential Of Interference Rna. This Is A Highly Desirable End. Although Many Questions Remain, The Overall Objectives Are Well Achieved.
audience:the Target Audience Is Relatively Wide. Information Of Value Is Available For Advanced Students, Bench Scientists, And Laboratory Directors. The Editor Has Recruited A Distinguished International Author Group.
features:although The Field Is Little More Than 10 Years Old, Rna Interference (rnai) Has Become A Major Tool In Biomedical Investigations. This Book Provides Broad Coverage Of This Field And, At The Same Time, Defines Many Of The Remaining Challenges. The Book Is Divided Into Seven Sections -- An Introductory Chapter Provides Some Historical Perspective From Early Work With c. Elegans. This Is Followed By A Discussion Of The Role Of Dicer And Essential Genes. Subsequent Sections Discuss Design Of Rnai For Given Genes (including Software Developed For This Purpose), The Various Vector/delivery Mechanisms Available And The Use Of Model Organisms. The Concluding Chapters Focus On Drug Development And Screening Methods. Each Of The Chapters Has A Detailed Bibliography Allowing Readers Easy Access To The Primary Literature. Although Much Of The Focus For This Technology Is On Drug Targets (i.e., Easy Ways To Silence A Particular Gene), Key Areas Of Embryonic Development And Maturation Will Clearly Find This Approach Valuable. It Cannot Be Expected That Rnai Studies Will Completely Replace The Use Of Transgenic Animals Or Antisense Products, But The Potential Is Clear. Material In This Book Will Be Of Interest To A Broad Range Of Investigators In Terms Of Direct Applicability To Their Own Studies, And To Others Who Have A Natural Scientific Curiosity About This Field.
assessment:given The Potential Importance Of Rnai, This Is A Timely And Welcome Publication. Many Questions Remain (the Field Itself Is Relatively Young) But There Is Evident Worth Here For Most Scientists Engaged In Biomedical Research. This Is A Snapshot Of The Field -- Expect A Second Edition About Seven Years Hence.