What’s the Difference Between Gene Knockdown and Gene Knockout?
What’s the Difference Between Gene Knockdown and Gene Knockout?
There are many techniques that allow scientists to silence a gene, but whether the effect is transient or permanent depends on the type of approach.
There are many techniques that allow scientists to silence a gene, but whether the effect is transient or permanent depends on the type of approach.
gene silencing
X Chromosome Silenced in Some Cancers in Males
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Nov 11, 2022 | 3 min read
A study finds that XIST, the gene that shuts down one X chromosome in people who have two, is linked to cancer in males.
Protein Size Matters
David Adam | Sep 23, 2021 | 3 min read
A study probes how genetic duplications that can swell protein length influence human traits such as height and kidney function.
Infographic: How Some X-Chromosome Genes Escape Inactivation
Amber Dance | Mar 1, 2020 | 2 min read
About one-quarter of the hundreds of genes on the inactivated X chromosome in XX cells manage to escape that silencing, at least some of the time.
Genes that Escape Silencing on the Second X Chromosome May Drive Disease
Amber Dance | Mar 1, 2020 | 10+ min read
When X-linked genes evade silencing on the “inactive” chromosome in XX cells, some protect women from diseases such as cancer, but others seem to promote conditions such as autoimmunity.
Oded Rechavi Studies the RNA Nematodes Pass to Their Offspring
Emily Makowski | Jan 13, 2020 | 3 min read
The Tel Aviv University researcher is interested in how the macromolecules affect the health and behavior of successive generations of worms.
Prominent Epigeneticist Dies
Bob Grant | Mar 7, 2017 | 1 min read
The National Cancer Institute’s Amar Klar uncovered many of the intricacies of gene silencing and other heritable epigenetic alterations.
Methylation Maestro
Anna Azvolinsky | Jan 1, 2017 | 9 min read
After initially discovering that DNA methylation represses transcription, Howard Cedar continues to explore how the epigenetic mark regulates gene expression.
Hidden Menace
John Frater, Genevieve Martin, and Matthew Pace | May 1, 2015 | 10+ min read
Curing HIV means finding and eradicating viruses still lurking in the shadows.
Hide and Seek
The Scientist | Apr 30, 2015 | 1 min read
Oxford researcher John Frater explains the strategy of targeting viral reservoirs to beat HIV.
One Gene, Two Mutations
Tracy Vence | Nov 5, 2013 | 2 min read
Knocking down a single gene spurs pronounced secondary effects in the yeast genome.
Gene Silencing Is Golden
Carina Storrs | Aug 1, 2013 | 9 min read
A beginner’s how-to on RNAi screening in mammalian cells
Dynamic Delivery
Ruth Williams | Jul 1, 2012 | 2 min read
Microscopic sponges made entirely of RNA enable efficient gene silencing.
Delivering Silence
Sabrina Richards | Mar 1, 2012 | 2 min read
Using RNA viruses to silence genes could optimize tissue targeting while reducing toxicity.
Unsilencing a Gene
Tia Ghose | Dec 21, 2011 | 3 min read
Scientists have found a way to reactivate a gene in mice that is silenced in a neurodevelopmental disorder called Angelman syndrome.