siRNA News and Research

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Small interfering RNA (siRNA), sometimes known as short interfering RNA or silencing RNA, is a class of double-stranded RNA molecules, 20-25 nucleotides in length, that play a variety of roles in biology. Most notably, siRNA is involved in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, where it interferes with the expression of a specific gene. In addition to their role in the RNAi pathway, siRNAs also act in RNAi-related pathways, e.g., as an antiviral mechanism or in shaping the chromatin structure of a genome; the complexity of these pathways is only now being elucidated.

IFITM proteins are important replication cofactors for SARS-CoV-2, including Delta variant

In a study recently published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers investigated the IFITM2 dependency of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, including the delta variant for efficient infection.

22 Nov 2021

P681H mutation helps SARS-CoV-2 VOCs replicate faster and resist innate immunity

In the current study, researchers compare the IFITM sensitivities of major SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

17 Nov 2021

New method for safe engineering of therapeutic cells with photothermal nanofibers

Professor Braeckmans from Ghent University focused the last ten years on a method for safe engineering of therapeutic cells with photothermal nanofibers.

22 Oct 2021

Scientists develop an extremely potent siRNA with broad activity against SARS-CoVs

Researchers in Germany have developed a promising approach to suppressing the viral replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Oct 2021

The role of inhibiting palmitoylation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on viral infectivity

It is demonstrated that palmitoylation of the first five cysteine residues of the C-terminal domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein facilitates cell entry and the formation of syncytia.

11 Oct 2021

Role of S-acylation in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity

A new study published in Developmental Cell investigates S-acylation of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein.

10 Oct 2021

Research reveals nucleolar RNA interference based on C. elegans as a model organism

A research group led by Prof. GUANG Shouhong from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborating with Prof. FENG Xuezhu from the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, revealed the nucleolar RNA interference based on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism. The study was published in Nuclear Acids Research.

28 Sep 2021

Design of mRNA vaccines to combat COVID-19

A recent review study discusses fundamental concepts in the successful delivery of nucleic acids in therapeutics.

23 Sep 2021

Pinning down Pin1: Potential COVID-19 therapy

In a recent study scientists have demonstrated that Pin1 is one of the key cellular molecules necessary for SARS-CoV-2 propagation.

22 Sep 2021

Study shows how SARS-CoV-2 viral proteases can be targeted to stop virus replication

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have shown how SARS-CoV-2 viral proteases attack the host cell, and how this can be targeted to stop virus replication in cell culture using existing drugs.

21 Sep 2021

Nanoparticles-assisted delivery of antiviral-siRNA for treatment of COVID-19

A review aimed to determine the potential of siRNA as a potential COVID-19 treatment by reviewing the currently available literature.

10 Sep 2021

Researchers use amphibian foam to deliver drugs for the first time

Amphibian foam has been used in drug delivery for the first time by researchers, which could help to combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

9 Sep 2021

SARS-CoV-2 destabilizes host RNA to improve fitness

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists have mapped the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and host RNA. They have observed that the virus heavily methylates its genome using the methylation machinery of the host RNA, leading to an improvement in viral fitness.

27 Aug 2021

Study pinpoints an enzyme with a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 replication

By applying a systems biology approach, a recent bioRxiv* preprint research paper by scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York unveils interactions between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway responsible for regulating the expression of crucial inflammatory mediators in human lung epithelial cells.

23 Aug 2021

Study uncovers a subset of human short introns spliced out by a distinct mechanism

The interrupted non-coding regions in pre-mRNAs, termed “introns,” are excised by “splicing” to generate mature coding mRNAs that are translated into proteins.

13 Aug 2021

VPS29 gene facilitates coronavirus cell entry

In a research paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server by Poston et al. (August 8th, 2021), common host factors amongst several zoonotic pathogens are explored by CRISPR-Cas9 screening in human lung cells, focusing in particular on the betacoronavirus genus.

11 Aug 2021

New book reveals promising nanomaterials for therapeutic drug delivery

'Nanomaterials: Evolution and Advancement Towards Therapeutic Drug Delivery' gives the present status and future perspective of Polymeric nanoparticles, Liposomes, Carbon Nanotubes, Magnetic Nanoparticles, Silica Based nanomaterial, Hydrogels, Metallic Nanoparticles, Cyclodextrins, Poly (Lactide-Co-Glycolide) and its Copolymers.

25 Jun 2021

New approach could revolutionize treatment, prevention of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers from Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan may have unraveled a new approach that could revolutionize the treatment, prevention, and possibly reversal of the damages that could lead to Parkinson's Disease (PD).

11 Jun 2021

Synthetic microRNA can serve as a novel therapeutic agent for treating human cancer

Oncotarget published "Multi-modal effects of 1B3, a novel synthetic miR-193a-3p mimic, support strong potential for therapeutic intervention in oncology" which reported that the authors comprehensively investigated miRNA-193a-3p's mode of action in a panel of human cancer cell lines, with a variety of genetic backgrounds, using 1B3, a synthetic microRNA mimic

2 Jun 2021

Scientists develop experimental direct-acting antiviral therapy to treat COVID-19

An international team of scientists from the Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) at Griffith University and from City of Hope, a research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases in the U.S., have developed an experimental direct-acting antiviral therapy to treat COVID-19.

18 May 2021