Genetic Inhibition by Double-Stranded RNA
AssigneeUniversity of Massachusetts
InventorsAndrew Fire, Stephen Kostas, Mary Montgomery, Lisa Timmons, SiQun Xu, Hiroaki Tabara, Samuel E. Driver, Craig C. Mello
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Abstract
A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.
Claims2
A method to inhibit expression of a target gene in a cell comprising introduction of a ribonucleic acid (RNA) into the cell in an amount sufficient to inhibit expression of the target gene, wherein the RNA comprises a double-stranded structure with an identical nucleotide sequence as compared to a portion of the target gene.
2-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.