Synthetic Nucleic Acids As Inhibitors Of Gene Expression

In the post-genomic era we have, at our fingertips, an incredible array of genomic sequences from a multitude of complex organisms. There remains, however, the critical need to understand the precise roles individual genes play in complex biological milieu. Synthetic nucleic acids are at the cutting-edge of molecular strategies that target genes of interest in a specific, efficient and cost-effective manner. These tools are now being used as new and exciting gene-silencing agents in vitro, in a panoply of animal models, and as novel therapeutics in human disease. Synthetic Nucleic Acids as Inhibitors of Gene Expression: Mechanisms, Applications, and Therapeutic Implications brings together timely, authoritative reviews by renowned international leaders in the fields of ribozymes, RNA interference, DNAzymes and oligonucleotide decoys, with emphasis on biochemistry and translational research. The chapters on ribozymes include discussions of ribozyme subtypes, structure-function aspects, and therapeutic applications. This is followed by a comprehensive discussion of DNAzymes, their various subtypes, kinetics and biochemistry, and applications in target validation. Finally, the mechanisms and multiple therapeutic applications of double-stranded oligonucleotide decoys are described. For readers ranging from graduate students to researchers seeking target validation for pharmaceuticals to clinicians seeking innovative cancer and cardiovascular therapies, no resource is more complete and up to date than Synthetic Nucleic Acids as Inhibitors of Gene Expression: Mechanisms, Applications and Therapeutic Implications.

Many potential applications of synthetic and systems biology are relevant to the challenges associated with the detection, surveillance, and responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. On March 14 and 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats convened a public workshop in Washington, DC, to explore the current state of the science of synthetic biology, including its dependency on systems biology; discussed the different approaches that scientists are taking to engineer, or reengineer, biological systems; and discussed how the tools and approaches of synthetic and systems biology were being applied to mitigate the risks associated with emerging infectious diseases. The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology is organized into sections as a topic-by-topic distillation of the presentations and discussions that took place at the workshop. Its purpose is to present information from relevant experience, to delineate a range of pivotal issues and their respective challenges, and to offer differing perspectives on the topic as discussed and described by the workshop participants. This report also includes a collection of individually authored papers and commentary.

This book provides a compelling overall update on current status of RNA interference

This volume presents a compendium of the most recent and advanced methods applied to the rapidly expanding field of telomerase inhibition. The techniques described provide the researcher with a diverse and comprehensive set of tools for the study of telomerase inhibition. The volume is aimed at biochemists, molecular biologists, cancer researchers, and geneticists.