RNA interference, a good idea?

Hi everyone,

In my previous post I already introduced you to the RNA interference also known as RNAi. This is a technology based on the interference or inhibition of the messenger RNA (mRNA). To translate a gene into a protein, a transcription of the DNA is needed. That’s where the mRNA comes in the pictures. mRNA plays the role of messenger, as the name says, and makes a complementary strand of the DNA. The mRNA is then in his turn translated into a protein. By using RNAi the transcription is inhibited and the protein can not by produced.

RNAi has the advantage of using a natural product to interfere with a gene. The challenge is to target those RNAs at the right place in the body and of those interferences can lead to some successful treatments.

Here a little clip to explain the mechanism:

So RNA interference is a natural process but do we need to play with nature to solve problems? Or is it just a good thing to make treatments and therapies so natural as possible so the human body can adapt faster?

Quote of the day: Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do – John Wooden

See you next time!

Jooske

references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK-OGB1_ELE, http://www.lifetechnologies.com/be/en/home/life-science/rnai/rna-interference-overview.html