Scientists are using the RNAi mechanism to learn more about what particular genes do and how to alter their function.
Determining gene function is a relatively simple matter of inserting double-stranded RNA molecules that have a particular sequence into cells and observing the effects after RNAi silences the corresponding gene. Conceivably, this method may one day be used to silence gene mutations that cause human diseases such as Huntington's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and many others. By using either the body's own mutations or viral invaders, scientists may develop a new type of drug—for example, one that switches off the genes of a cancer cell and leaves healthy cells unaffected. However, because RNAi's potential effects are so powerful, scientists must first determine that they can control the mechanism so that only the target gene is silenced, and not others. Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined.
At present, Macular Degeneration is considered an incurable eye disease but there is promising research going on.. Macular Degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail. |
1 of 4: the discovery of rna interface
2 of 4: RNAi: Slicing, dicing and serving your cells
3 of 4: RNAi, a Promising Potential New Class of Medicines
4 of 4: an attempt to manipulate gene expression.
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