What is the Difference Between CRISPR and RNAi?

-

What is CRISPR

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a family of DNA sequences that naturally occur in the genome of prokaryotes including bacteria. These repeats are derived from the viruses that infect prokaryotes. Therefore, they can be used to recognize similar DNA sequences, destroying similar DNA sequences from viruses in the subsequent infections. Thus, CRISPR becomes an antiviral defense system in prokaryotes. Here, an enzyme known as Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) uses CRISPR as a guide sequence to recognize complementary strands and then, it cleaves the complementary sequence.



What is RNAi

RNAi (RNA interference) is a biological process which regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through degrading target mRNA. It is one of the most widely used approaches to study gene function in reverse genetics. Here, the two main types of small RNA molecules involved in the process are micro RNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Another form of small RNA involved in RNAi, mimicking the function of miRNA is short hairpin RNA (shRNA). However, shRNA has to be artificially introduced to the system through delivery systems. Both miRNA and shRNA form double-stranded RNA by hybridization with the target mRNA, which is complementary to the small RNA sequence


RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring mechanism that leads to the “silencing” of genes.In consequence, the respective protein is no longer synthesised. In nature, this mechanism is used for the regulation of specific genes and is also applied as a defence against viruses. In research, this technique can be used for loss-of-function studies where a gene is specifically silenced and the impact of this loss is analysed in cells or whole organisms. This can be performed under normal conditions or in the context of a disease.
The importance of this technology is reflected by the fact that the 2006 Nobel prize for medicine was awarded for the discovery of RNA interference by Craig Mello and Andrew Fire.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discuss the Salient features of cultural tradition of south India as reflected in Sangam leterature?15M

-
Introduction :  The Sangam Age in Indian history witnessed the rapid development of literary works in the southern regions. The literature that was created during this time came to be known as Sangam literature Mostly literary sources help us to understand t he society and culture of the Sangam age , which provides information regarding t he classification of the people, caste system , various occupations , practice of slavery , d ress and food hab it, status of women , religious practice s, education a nd other f ine ar t. Sources to understand Cultural Tradition of south India  The literatures are the primary sources for understanding the socio-cultural life of the people of Sangam age. The literatures of the Sangam age consists of the earliest Tamil literary works such as Tolkappiyam, the Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies), the Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls), the Pandinenkilkanakku (Eight Minor works) and the Five Epics Silappathikaram, Manimegalai, Sivaga Sindamani, Valaiyapathy and Kunda
Read more

Discuss the impact of social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play on children’s emotional well-being?

-
 The emotional well-being of children has been increasingly influenced by several modern factors, including social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play. Each of these elements plays a role in shaping children's emotional health, and their combined effects can be complex. Here’s a closer look at how each factor impacts children: 1. Social Media Impact on Emotional Well-being: Increased Anxiety and Depression : Social media can expose children to idealized images and lifestyles, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. For example, seeing peers portray seemingly perfect lives on platforms like Instagram or TikTok can make children feel like they don't measure up. Cyberbullying : Social media can be a medium for cyberbullying, which can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Victims of online bullying may experience emotional trauma and difficulty trusting others. Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction : Exce
Read more