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Two cells on a purple background. Two mechanisms of gene silencing are shown in the cell on the left, while a double-strand break in a DNA region is shown in the cell on the right.
What’s the Difference Between Gene Knockdown and Gene Knockout?
There are many techniques that allow scientists to silence a gene, but whether the effect is transient or permanent depends on the type of approach.
What’s the Difference Between Gene Knockdown and Gene Knockout?
What’s the Difference Between Gene Knockdown and Gene Knockout?

There are many techniques that allow scientists to silence a gene, but whether the effect is transient or permanent depends on the type of approach.

There are many techniques that allow scientists to silence a gene, but whether the effect is transient or permanent depends on the type of approach.

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RNA interference

Cartoon of scientist deciding whether to go down the path of well-studied genes or that of the neglected genes. 
Stepping Into the Unknome
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Mar 8, 2024 | 5 min read
A database of neglected genes may help unlock the mysteries hiding in the overlooked regions of the proteome.
Image of the fly brain (grey) highlighting the population of neurons (pink) to which the gut-secreted peptide CCHa1 signals
A Protein-Rich Diet Helps Mice and Flies Sleep More Soundly: Study
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Mar 24, 2023 | 3 min read
The effect appears to be mediated by a gut-secreted peptide that signals to neurons in the brain that modulate the response to mechanical vibrations.
oxalate cystal rnai rna interference alnylam sirna lumasiran Oxlumo Patisiran Onpattro givosiran Givlaari galnac inclisiran
RNA Interference Comes of Age
Diana Kwon | Dec 9, 2020 | 6 min read
The third FDA approval of an RNAi-based therapeutic marks the growing success of a technique that took two decades to get off the ground.
RNAi Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Disease Therapy
The Scientist | Jun 23, 2020 | 1 min read
Experts will explore how RNAi mechanisms can modulate gene expression for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and how new methods for their use are being developed. 
Image of the Day: Horns and Wings
Emily Makowski | Nov 29, 2019 | 2 min read
Scarab beetle horns share a common genetic origin with wings.
First RNAi Therapy Approved by FDA
Kerry Grens | Aug 10, 2018 | 1 min read
Alnylam’s patisiran interferes with the production of a mutated protein present in people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.
RNA Interference Drug Excels in Clinical Trials to Treat Rare Disorder
Katarina Zimmer | Nov 3, 2017 | 2 min read
If approved, patisiran will be the first RNAi therapeutic on the market. 
CRISPR System Targets RNA in Mammalian Cells
Anna Azvolinsky | Oct 4, 2017 | 3 min read
Researchers engineer bacterial CRISPR-Cas13 to knock down RNA in mammalian cells.
Vitamin C Blocks Leukemia Progression in Mice
Aggie Mika | Aug 17, 2017 | 3 min read
High-dose vitamin C injections reverse the effects of a leukemia-promoting genetic deficiency.
RNAi’s Future in Drug-Target Screening
Catherine Offord | Apr 16, 2017 | 4 min read
A recent CRISPR study contradicted years of RNA interference research on a well-studied cancer drug target. But is it the last nail in the coffin for RNAi as a screening tool? 
A Walk on the Wild Side
Mary Beth Aberlin | Feb 1, 2017 | 3 min read
Plants have so much to teach us.
RNA Interference Between Kingdoms
Kerry Grens | Feb 1, 2017 | 10+ min read
Plants and fungi can use conserved RNA interference machinery to regulate each other’s gene expression—and scientists think they can make use of this phenomenon to create a new generation of pesticides.
Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Near Approval
Catherine Offord | Dec 1, 2016 | 8 min read
Successful late-stage clinical trials could mark the maturation of a new drug development platform, but the path to commercialization is not without hurdles.
Gut Bacteria for Insect RNAi
Ruth Williams | Jun 1, 2016 | 3 min read
Lacing insect food with microbes encoding double-stranded RNAs can suppress insect gene expression.
Metazoans in the DNAi Club
Amanda B. Keener | Jul 1, 2015 | 2 min read
A chance discovery results in the first report of DNA-based gene silencing in an animal.
Ebola Drug Trial Terminated
Amanda B. Keener | Jun 23, 2015 | 2 min read
Early analysis of TKM-Ebola-Guinea offers discouraging results, causing sponsors to end the Phase 2 trial.
Improving Crops with RNAi
Narender Nehra and Nigel Taylor | Jun 1, 2015 | 2 min read
RNA interference is proving to be a valuable tool for agriculture, allowing researchers to develop pathogen-resistant and more-nutritious crops.
The Second Coming of RNAi
Eric Bender | Sep 1, 2014 | 10+ min read
Now showing clinical progress against liver diseases, the gene-silencing technique begins to fulfill some of its promises.
Karmella Haynes: Turning the Dials
Kerry Grens | Dec 1, 2013 | 3 min read
Assistant Professor, Arizona State University. Age: 36
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