Chimera RNA interference (chimera RNAi) is process by which small interfering RNA/DNA chimera triggers the destruction of mRNA for the original gene. The discovery work, design, and application of chimera RNAi has been pioneered by Professor Kaoru Saigo and Dr. Kumiko Ui-Tei at the University of Tokyo. Chimera RNAi has many advantages over the conventional siRNAs. First, it has been demonstrated to have reliable knock-down for over 10,000 human genes. Because the human genome is composed of an intricate, genetic network, chimera RNAis unique design has successfully obviated the off-target effects including microRNA-based influence. Another advantage of the chimera RNAi technology is its effectiveness at low concentrations (0.5nM to 5nM); only mRNA is destroyed so genomic genes are not affected. Finally, having both the sense and anti-sense strands consisting RNA/DNA chimera, it offers much greater compound stability for streamlining in vitro and in vivo assays and applications while minimizing interferon induction and other adverse reactions.
