DMMC Course: TECHNIQUES & STRATEGIES IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE

1330-1420 Wednesday 8 December 2004. Houston Lecture Theatre, RCSI

Introduction to cloning and RNA interference Dr Ross McManus, TCD

This lecture will introduce the basic concepts behind DNA cloning technology and the selective removal of RNA in cells using RNA interference. DNA cloning is the process by which DNA is selectively isolated, amplified and perpetuated so that it can be subsequently sequenced, manipulated or expressed. Cloning normally involves the isolation of a DNA sequence followed by its insertion into a cloning vector and propagation in a host cell. RNA interference is a relatively new methodology which allows the selective removal of RNA molecules through the use of small interfering RNA sequences complementary to the RNA targeted for destruction. Thus, reversible silencing of a particular gene can be achieved without the need for more involved gene knockout approaches.