title: Systems-level analysis of host-pathogen interaction using RNA interference.
abstract: Hand-in-hand with the availability of full genome sequences for eukaryotic model organisms and humans the demand for analysis of gene function on a system level has grown. In a process called RNA interference (RNAi) specific mRNA species can be degraded by introduction of double-stranded small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that are complementary to the targeted transcript sequence. This enables the selective impairment of gene function. During the past decade RNAi has been exploited in many different eukaryotic cell types and model organisms. Large-scale and eventually genome-wide RNAi screens ablating gene functions in a systematic manner have delivered an overwhelming amount of data on the requirement of distinct gene products for major cellular pathways. A large part of the RNAi field is dedicated to disease states such as cancer or infection with the prospect of discovering pathways suitable for new therapeutic interventions. Here some of the major steps in the development of the RNAi technology will be outlined and exemplified with a focus on the progress made in the field of mammalian host-pathogen interactions.
authors: Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Simone C
authors: SC
authors: Eicher
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Dehio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D049490:Systems Biology
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering