SBIR Phase I: Comprehensive RNAi Technologies: Vector-Based Expression and Chemical Synthesis

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project proposes to develop a broad-based technology platform for RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing in mammalian cells. Sequence-specific RNAi is achieved by introducing homologous, short interfering RNA duplexes (siRNAs) into cells. siRNAs are generated by several methods of which the most popular are (1) chemically synthesized siRNA duplexes, and (2) short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) expressed from vectors. This project will attempt to bridge these silencing platforms. The follow on Phase II project will build on the integrated technologies to develop a genome-wide platform of siRNAs, shRNA vectors and stable cell lines. The combination of these powerful tools will have broad impacts for general biology, medical and pharmaceutical research and development. The commercial application of this project will be to meet the needs of researchers involved in biological and medical research.