Over the last 2 years, the scientific community has rapidly embraced novel technologies that allow gene silencing in vertebrates. Ease of application, cost effectiveness and the possibilities for genome-wide reverse genetics have quickly turned this approach into a widely accepted, almost mandatory asset for a self-respecting laboratory in life sciences. This review discusses some of the recent technological developments that allow the application of RNAi (RNA interference) in mammalian cells. In addition, the advantages of applying RNAi to study cell cycle events and the emerging approaches to perform mutational analysis by complementation in mammalian cells are evaluated. In addition, common pitfalls and drawbacks of RNAi will be reviewed, as well as the possible ways to get around these shortcomings of gene silencing by small interfering RNA.
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