- siRNA, along with their gene silencing effects, were first discovered in 1999 by David Baulcombe at the Sainsbury Lab in Norwich, England. The initial literature, published in Nature, reported the ability of synthetic siRNA molecule to interfere with gene expression.
- Since then, many siRNA sequences have been developed to combat a variety of cancers as well as several other diseases and infections. Recently, siRNA have been developed that are able to target and treat a lethal dose of the Zaire Ebolavirus. In a trial of non-human primates, 100% of the infected subjects given siRNA therapy survived the most lethal strain of this virus.
- These results illustrate a promising future for the development and utilization of siRNA therapies for some of today's most complicated conditions. As these mechanisms become better understood and the targeting of liposomal carriers filled with siRNA is perfected, it will be exciting to observe the types of effective and non-invasive therapies that will be possible with this new technology.
- Currently at the forefront of siRNA innovation is GE LifeSciences. For additional information, their website can be found here.