Dissecting small RNA pathways using comparative genetics and genomics in C. elegans and C. briggsae

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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular process whereby the expression of a specific gene is silenced by the action of an enzymatic complex composed of a small RNA molecule acting with an Argonaute protein. These small RNA molecules provide sequence-specific gene targeting activity to the Argonaute, which is the catalyst of silencing. RNAi has been the topic of much interest over the past decade, during which time it has become a nearly ubiquitous laboratory tool, revolutionizing studies in some research systems that were previously genetically intractable. RNAi also holds great therapeutic potential; imagine being able to turn off a specific gene that contributed to cancer progression at will, thus halting oncogenesis.