title: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job: RNAi, TALEN, or CRISPR.
abstract: The most widely used approach for defining gene function is to reduce or completely disrupt its normal expression. For over a decade, RNAi has ruled the lab, offering a magic bullet to disrupt gene expression in many organisms. However, new biotechnological tools--specifically CRISPR-based technologies--have become available and are squeezing out RNAi dominance in mammalian cell studies. These seemingly competing technologies leave research investigators with the question: "Which technology should I use in my experiment?" This review offers a practical resource to compare and contrast these technologies, guiding the investigator when and where to use this fantastic array of powerful tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF Diabetes Center, Keck Center for Noncoding RNA, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boettcher
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UCSF Diabetes Center, Keck Center for Noncoding RNA, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Electronic address: michael.mcmanus@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D064113:CRISPR-Cas Systems / Q000235:genetics*; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D034622:RNA Interference
chemical_list: D003851:Deoxyribonucleases