title: RNA interference and chemically modified small interfering RNAs.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful biological process for specific silencing of gene expression in diversified eukaryotic cells and has tremendous potential for functional genomics, drug discovery through in vivo target validation, and development of novel gene-specific medicine. The future success of this technology relies on identifying appropriate chemical modifications to improve stability, potency and in vivo cellular delivery. The present review summarizes the role of the chemist's toolbox in this emerging technology.
authors.affiliation: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 Third Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA. mmanoharan@alnylam.com
authors.forename: Muthiah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manoharan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015394:Molecular Structure; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering