siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Human HEK293

Get tips on using ON-TARGETplus Rat Rac1 (363875) siRNA - Set of 4 to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Rat - MTLn3 Rac1

Get tips on using SMARTpool: ON-TARGETplus Hipk2 siRNA to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Mouse - Glomerular mesangial cells HIPK2 Polymer / Lipid delivery

Get tips on using SignalSilence® NF-κB p65 siRNA I #6261 to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Rat - H9c2 NF-κB RelA (p65)

Get tips on using pcDNA™3.1 (+) Mammalian Expression Vector to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Human - U251 cofilin-1 (CFL1)

Transfection is a powerful technique that enables the study of the function of genes and gene products in cells. Based on the nature of experiments, we may need a stable DNA transfection in cells for persistent gain-of-function or loss-of-function of the target gene. For stable transfection, integration of a DNA vector into the chromosome is crucial which requires selective screening and clonal isolation. By carefully selecting a viral delivery system and related reagents we can ensure safe and highly-efficient delivery of expression constructs for high-level constitutive or inducible expression in any mammalian cell type.

Get tips on using ON-TARGETplus Rat Snap23 (64630) siRNA - Set of 4 to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Rat - RBL-2H3 Snap23

The RNA interference (RNAi) is used to inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. Two types of RNA molecules such as microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) play a central role in RNAi. Few points have to considered to increase the transfection efficiency of siRNA. Always use healthy, actively dividing cells to maximize transfection efficiency. The confluency of cells should be between 50-70%. Always use the most appropriate siRNA concentration to avoid off-target effects and unwanted toxic side effects. Positive and negative controls should be used for each and every experiment to determine transfection efficiency.

ROS has a very short half-lives in biological environment as they are influenced by exposure to ambient oxygen. As it is highly reactive and hard to measure care should be taken to ensure the stability of the sample during isolation, preparation, storage, and analysis.

Get tips on using INTERFERin® to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Human - 501 Mel and SK Mel 28 FANCD2 Polymer / Lipid

Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi has been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining the efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.