Newsletter Signup
Where current and emerging technology trends meet.
TecTrendsInformation Sources, Inc.
  | About TecTrends | Email Signup | Contact Us
 Live Search:
Live Search | Articles | Companies | TecTerms | Products
  Loading TecTrends Live Search - please wait... 
View Noteworthy Articles      PRNewswire
 
Article

Title: Killing the Messenger

Author: Lash, Alex Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: The Deal, v4 n28 p52(6) Publication Date: Jul 10, 2006
  ISSN: 1541-9878
  Illustrations: Charts
URL of Publication: http://www.thedeal.com

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Sirna Therapeutics are the two leading players in the field of pharmaceutical drugs that are based on ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference, popularly referred to as RNAi. The two rivals are in a dead heat to be the first to develop RNAi drugs, and both companies have experimental drugs in early stages of clinical trials. Excitement over the new biotechnology is palpable within the pharmaceutical industry, similar to what was felt with the advent and rise of Genentech and Amgen. Scientists first discovered RNA interference during genetic experiments with petunias. They were attempting to turn the flowers a brighter shade of purple by injecting genetic material. The petunias, however, turned completely white, switching off the genetic mechanism involved in color determination. It seems that the petunias rejected the genetic intrusion. This phenomenon was then tested in fruit flies, nematodes, mice, primates, and finally humans. Researchers and drug developers hope that RNAi drugs will be able to attack certain diseases with greater precision than the current gene therapy available. They also hope that the new RNAi drugs will result in fewer genetic accidents, something that has plagued conventional gene therapy. This is because RNAi therapy does not directly alter the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of experimental subjects.

Special Features: Charts

Products:
Gene Therapy RNAi (RNA Interference)

TecTerms:


[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2004-2008 Information Sources Inc.
 


Home About TecTrends About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions

TecTrends | P.O. Box 8120 | Berkeley CA 94707 | (510) 525-6220 | Email: tectrends@tectrends.com
© 2006 INFORMATION SOURCES INC | All rights reserved.