Allele, Inc. Introduces LineSilence Technology for RNA Interference -- RNAi.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

DNA-Based Transfection Technique Allows Persistent Downregulation

& Greater Experiment Repeatability With Reduced Oligo Cost

Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals has introduced its LineSilence(TM) kits for gene downregulation through RNA interference (RNAi). Allele's patent-pending technology moves RNAi into the mainstream by using short, stable DNA oligos to produce the RNAi effect. Dr. Jiwu Wang, Co-CEO of Allele and inventor of the LineSilence technology, said that, "DNA-based RNAi method is a leap forward in terms of gene silencing technology development. LineSilence provides researchers with a simple and low-cost tool for applying the powerful RNAi mechanism to study their favorite genes. It is also a breakthrough in the sense that it makes permanent RNAi effects possible in cell lines and animal models."

RNAi using short interfering RNA (siRNA) has already been described as "the most exciting insight in biology in the past decade or two," with applications ranging from functional genomics and target validation to clinical therapeutics.

siRNAs are short double-stranded segments of RNA. When introduced into cells, siRNAs induce cellular machinery which degrades mRNA corresponding to the siRNA sequence. Scientists have previously used antisense RNA to prevent mRNA from being transcribed, but this approach has been unpredictable and difficult to implement. siRNA is more reliable and silences more effectively.

Unfortunately, RNA molecules eventually degrade and lose their inhibitory effect. Allele's LineSilence kits use DNA to produce siRNA endogenously. The cell then replenishes its own siRNAs, producing a persistent downregulation effect. Allele's patent-pending technique works in mammalian cell lines and can be used in cell culture or transgenic animal applications. This promises highly sensitive downregulation using easily synthesized DNA oligos. Reduced reagent cost and increased stability make LineSilence technology perfect for use in high-throughput processes.

Founded in 1999 by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology development company focused on commercializing novel technologies for functional genomics. They also have lines of business in oligo synthesis and pharmaceutical development.