Small regulatory RNAs: identification, classification and utilization

PhD ceremony: Mr. E. Seinen, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Small regulatory RNAs: identification, classification and utilization

Promotor(s): prof. O.C.M. Sibon, prof. R.C. Jansen

Faculty: Medical Sciences

An important field of research in the life sciences is to investigate the function of genes, which is typically performed with RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Through RNAi it is possible to down regulate specific genes. Unfortunately, RNAi is hampered by so called “off-targets” that induce down regulation of non-related genes. Using a novel method to find off-targets, it was demonstrated that some RNAi molecules show a substantial number of off-targets which may lead to an incorrect interpretation of experimental data. It was also found that current methods to avoid off-targets have significant flaws. Seinen developed a new computer program, RNAi-Select, to reduce off-targets by analysing genomic sequences with high precision and to utilise these data to design unique RNAi molecules. The computer program can assist in the identification of endogenous miRNAs which are associated with diseases such as PKAN and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.