RNA interference (RNAi) is the best way to effectively knock down gene expression and study protein function in a wide range of cell types. Using vectors to perform RNAi experiments greatly expands experimental possibilities beyond traditional small/short interfering RNAs (siRNAs).
Vector-Based RNAi
Vector technologies allow you to:
- Achieve transient or stable target knockdown
- Perform RNAi in any cell type, even hard to transfect, primary and non-dividing cells
- Regulate gene inhibition with inducible RNAi expression
- Select for a pure population of cells stably expressing an RNAi sequence
- Control gene expression in vivo with tissue specific promoters
Table 1. Comparison of RNAi vector technologies.
| BLOCK-iT™ Pol II miR RNAi | BLOCK-iT™ shRNA |
|---|---|
| Pol II expression system | Pol III expression system |
| Polycistronic expression of miRNAs (chaining) | Single shRNA expression per promoter |
| Co-expression of GFP allows expression to be tracked | Only delivery can be tracked (with separate expression cassette) |
| Compatible with most Gateway® DEST vectors | Compatible with BLOCK-iT™ DEST Vectors |
| Best design success (>70%) | Moderate design success (~50%) |
Table 2. Our RNAi vector products.
| Product Type | Description | Online Ordering |
|---|---|---|
| BLOCK-iT™ miR RNAi Select | Pre-designed miR RNAi vector inserts for any organism | Vector inserts: BLOCK-iT™ RNAi Express Vector backbones: online catalog |
| BLOCK -iT™ Pol II miR Validated miRNA Vector DuoPak | Validated miR RNAi constructs to human kinase genes | Glycerol stocks: BLOCK-iT™ RNAi Express |
| Custom BLOCK-iT™ Pol II miR RNAi Vectors | Custom miR RNAi vectors for any organism | Vector inserts: BLOCK-iT™ RNAi Designer Vector backbones: online catalog |
| BLOCK-iT™ shRNA Vectors | Custom shRNA vectors for any organism | Vector inserts: BLOCK-iT™ RNAi Designer Vector backbones: online catalog |
| Controls for RNAi Vectors | Transfection, positive and negative controls for every RNAi experiment | Online catalog |
Ambion® pSilencer™ siRNA Expression Vectors
The pSilencer siRNA Expression Vector line includes several classic plasmid vectors with U6 (RNA polymerase III) promoters. These systems include pre-cut vector, a negative control vector, and a positive control insert. Please note that these vectors do not include cells and are not Gateway compatible.
| Expression vector |
Vector type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| pSilencer 2.1-U6 Neo |
shRNA vector (not Gateway compatible) | Transient or stable expression of shRNA in transfected cells. Select for stable expression with Neomycin. |
| pSilencer 2.1-U6 Hygro |
shRNA vector (not Gateway compatible) | Transient or stable expression of shRNA in transfected cells. Select for stable expression with Hygromycin. |
| pSilencer 2.1-U6 Puro | shRNA vector (not Gateway compatible) | Transient or stable expression of shRNA in transfected cells. Select for stable expression with Puromycin. |
Resources
Different ways to design and order siRNA
Literature
Web Seminars and guides
Custom Services
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Questions
Send your questions to our top researchers at RNAiresearcher@thermofisher.com
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.