1. Carly Sproule BE 4332

2.  Mechanism that silences a gene so that the protein associated with it is not expressed  Regulates gene expression  Used as an immune response and natural defense mechanism  Can be used for certain gene therapies in humans as well as having agricultural uses

5.  A piece of double stranded RNA(dsRNA) triggers the process  RDE-4 and RDE-1 must be present to signal the Dicer molecule (DCR-1)  Dicer cuts a short- interferening RNA (siRNA)  This siRNA has a two nucleotide overhang on the 3’ ends(sticky ends)

6.  The guide strand of the siRNA complexes to form the RNA Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)  Slicer is part of the activated RISC complex  The guide strand finds a complementary sequence so Slicer can chop that piece of RNA thereby silencing the gene

7.  In plants, fungi, and some animals, RNA dependent RNA polymerases(RDRP) amplify the RNAi mechanism  http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=gZZyxVP02U U http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=gZZyxVP02U U

8.  Cancer  Auto-immune diseases  Viral infections  Dominant genetic disorders

9.  Virus resistant plants and crops  Plants that produce dsRNA that silence specific and essential genes in pests  Create sterile hybrids  Enhance nutrient content

10.  New techniques to combat diseases ◦ Cure for cancer?  Pesticides may become a thing of the past ◦ Increased crop yield ◦ Safer for consumption  Fewer malnourished peoples