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RNA interference in embryonic stem cells and the prospects for future therapies

Gene Therapy volume 13, pages 478–486 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

In 1998, two distinct and exciting scientific fields emerged which have profoundly shaped the current direction of biomedical research. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) and the derivation of human embryonic stem (ES) cells have yielded exciting new possibilities for researchers and clinicians alike. While fundamentally different, aspects from these two fields may be combined to yield extraordinary scientific and medical benefits. Here, we review the prospects of combining RNAi and ES cell manipulation for both basic research and future therapies, as well as current limitations and obstacles that need to be overcome.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Jeremy F Reiter, Amander T Clark, David L Boone, and members of the McManus and Ramalho-Santos labs for critical reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    A Heidersbach, A Gaspar-Maia, M T McManus & M Ramalho-Santos

  2. Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    A Gaspar-Maia & M Ramalho-Santos

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  1. A Heidersbach
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  2. A Gaspar-Maia
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Correspondence to M Ramalho-Santos.

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Heidersbach, A., Gaspar-Maia, A., McManus, M. et al. RNA interference in embryonic stem cells and the prospects for future therapies. Gene Ther 13, 478–486 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3302723

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Keywords

  • miRNA
  • ES cells
  • RNAi
  • siRNA
  • differentiation
  • cell-replacement therapy

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