RNAi Discovered
NOVA science NOW
Posted 07.26.05
RNA, the close chemical cousin of DNA, was once thought to be a bit
player in the life of a cell, but not anymore. RNA is now at the heart
of a scientific and medical revolution.
It’s a revolution that started
with the cultivation of a purple petunia,
and it has led scientists to
what may be the most important advance in biology in decades.
Through a
process known as RNAi (the "i" is for interference), researchers have a
new way to shut off specific genes, yielding insights into the human
genome as well as providing potential treatments for a wide range of
diseases.
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RNAi Discovered
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http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/lsps07.sci.life.gen.rnai/
This video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW
explores a mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi), which has evolved
in cells to prevent viral infection. Cells must carefully regulate the
synthesis of proteins from genes to ensure normal development and to
prevent disease. Having accidentally discovered this mechanism while
experimenting with color in petunias, scientists now know that RNAi
serves a critical role in this process.
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