miRNA is the inherent gene silencing machinery which can have more than one mRNA target, whereas siRNA can be designed to target a particular mRNA target. By design, both siRNA and miRNA are 20-25 nucleotides in length. The target sequence for siRNAs is usually located within the open reading frame, between 50 and 100 nucleotides downstream of the start codon. There are two ways in which cells can be transfected with desired RNAi: 1. Direct transfection (with calcium phosphate co-precipitation or cationic lipid mediated transfection using lipofectamine or oligofectamine), and 2. Making RNAi lentiviral constructs (followed by transformation and transduction). Lentiviral constructs are time consuming, but provide a more permanent expression of RNAi in the cells, and consistent gene silencing. Direct transfection of oligonucleotides provides temporary genetic suppression. Traditional methods like calcium phosphate co-precipitation have challenges like low efficiency, poor reproducibility and cell toxicity. Whereas, cationic lipid-based transfection reagents are able to overcome these challenges, along with applicability to a large variety of eukaryotic cell lines. When using oligos, the ideal concentration lies between 10-50nM for effective transfection.
miRNA is the inherent gene silencing machinery which can have more than one mRNA target, whereas siRNA can be designed to target a particular mRNA target. By design, both siRNA and miRNA are 20-25 nucleotides in length. The target sequence for siRNAs is usually located within the open reading frame, between 50 and 100 nucleotides downstream of the start codon. There are two ways in which cells can be transfected with desired RNAi: 1. Direct transfection (with calcium phosphate co-precipitation or cationic lipid mediated transfection using lipofectamine or oligofectamine), and 2. Making RNAi lentiviral constructs (followed by transformation and transduction). Lentiviral constructs are time consuming, but provide a more permanent expression of RNAi in the cells, and consistent gene silencing. Direct transfection of oligonucleotides provides temporary genetic suppression. Traditional methods like calcium phosphate co-precipitation have challenges like low efficiency, poor reproducibility and cell toxicity. Whereas, cationic lipid-based transfection reagents are able to overcome these challenges, along with applicability to a large variety of eukaryotic cell lines. When using oligos, the ideal concentration lies between 10-50nM for effective transfection.
DNA microarrays enable researchers to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. However, the sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, and reproducibility are major challenges for this technology. Cross-hybridization, combination with splice variants, is a prime source for the discrepancies in differential gene expression calls among various microarray platforms. Removing (either from production or downstream bioinformatic analysis) and/or redesigning the microarray probes prone to cross-hybridization is a reasonable strategy to increase the hybridization specificity and hence, the accuracy of the microarray measurements.
DNA microarrays enable researchers to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. However, the sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, and reproducibility are major challenges for this technology. Cross-hybridization, combination with splice variants, is a prime source for the discrepancies in differential gene expression calls among various microarray platforms. Removing (either from production or downstream bioinformatic analysis) and/or redesigning the microarray probes prone to cross-hybridization is a reasonable strategy to increase the hybridization specificity and hence, the accuracy of the microarray measurements.
Microarrays enable researchers to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. However, the sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, and reproducibility are major challenges for this technology. Cross-hybridization, combination with splice variants, is a prime source for the discrepancies in differential gene expression calls among various microarray platforms. Removing (either from production or downstream bioinformatic analysis) and/or redesigning the microarray probes prone to cross-hybridization is a reasonable strategy to increase the hybridization specificity and hence, the accuracy of the microarray measurements.
Microarrays enable researchers to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. However, the sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, and reproducibility are major challenges for this technology. Cross-hybridization, combination with splice variants, is a prime source for the discrepancies in differential gene expression calls among various microarray platforms. Removing (either from production or downstream bioinformatic analysis) and/or redesigning the microarray probes prone to cross-hybridization is a reasonable strategy to increase the hybridization specificity and hence, the accuracy of the microarray measurements.
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.
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.
Reporter gene assays enable high sensitivity measurement of gene expression and cell signaling through the addition of bioluminescent genes into target cells. One of the major challenges is to make a specific construct that has no responses other than those related to the signaling pathway of interest. This can be achieved by selecting highly specific reporter constructs containing only defined responsive elements and a minimal promoter linked to reporter enzymes such as luciferase
Wound healing assay can be challenging due to inconsistencies and variations while making a wound on the confluent cell monolayer, consequently leads to wounds of varying sizes and widths. Moreover, this assay causes damage to the cells that are at the edge of the wound, which can prevent cell migration into the wound site and healing. The best solution is to use the standard wound healing assay kits using either combs or inserts to make a defined wound field or gap and prevent the well-to-well variation in these assays.
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