
Antisense technology has been used for several years to "knock down" the expression of specific genes in living tissues to study the functions of their protein products. Specifically designed antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) are short lengths of man-made genetic material designed to interfere with the production of the protein encoded by the gene. This can shed light on the function of the protein; alternatively, if a disease process results from an excess of certain protein, the method can in theory correct the problem. Faster thantransgenic techniques, but more problematic in practice, antisense has been seen as something of a "black art". There are many technical problems to understand and overcome.
This text investigates the technical challenges and practical applications of using antisense oligonucleotides to modulate gene expression within the central nervous system. The authors, A. Jackie Hunter, Harold A. Robertson, and Ronald A. Leslie, provide a comprehensive overview of how these man-made genetic materials interfere with protein production. By examining both the experimental utility and the inherent difficulties of this methodology, the book establishes a framework for researchers aiming to utilize antisense technology as a tool for functional genomics and potential therapeutic intervention.
What You Will Find
Experts recognize this work as a technical resource for researchers navigating the complexities of gene silencing in neurological contexts. Readers frequently note the specialized nature of the content, which addresses the practical difficulties often described as a black art in laboratory settings.
Page Count:
250
Publication Date:
1999-12-15
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198505388
ISBN-13:
9780198505389
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