ULS is co-organizing a joint technology seminar with Qiagen on the use of single-stranded LNA™-enhanced antisense oligonucleotides to knockdown RNA targets in vitro.
Details of the seminar are as follows:
Title: The evaluation of long non-coding RNA targets by antisense GapmeRs and the functional study of microRNA biomarkers by inhibitors and mimics
Date: November 28, 2017 (Tuesday)
Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Venue: Y716, 7/F, Lee Shau Kee Building (Block Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Speaker: Dr. Michael Hansen (Exiqon Senior Scientist and Technical Specialist)
Abstract:
The single stranded LNA™-enhanced antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs, also known as LNA™ GapmeR), which catalyze RNase H dependent degradation of both mRNAs and lncRNA, have been demonstrated to show potent knockdown of multiple classes of RNA target in vitro irrespective of the type of RNA target and its subcellular localization. In an in vivo animal model, we further report highly efficient and long lasting knockdown of a nuclear retained lncRNA in a broad range of tissues in mice subjected to systemic administration of a LNA™ GapmeR. To design LNA™ GapmeRs, we have developed an empirically derived design algorithm to provide ASOs that achieve potent target knockdown with a high hit-rate. Recent publication and our own preliminary results indicate that unspliced primary transcripts are in fact the true targets of GapmeRs and therefore the design of LNA™ GapmeRs targeting introns is a valid and efficient approach to prevent production of mature spliced transcripts. However, these results have further implications for the design to avoid off-targets, which are a relevant concern for all antisense strategies and as well toxicity. To address potential off targets located in either exons or introns, our LNA™ GapmeR design algorithm searches both spliced and unspliced transcriptomes in the Ensembl database, to provide maximal target specificity.
The functional analysis of LNA™ GapmeR in vitro and in vivo will be presented. Together with microRNA mimics and inhibitors and target site blockers, these LNA containing ASOs offer a unique set of tools for functional analysis of transcriptional regulation in human and other mammalian systems
For enquiries, please contact Ryan Chow (hoyin.chow@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8057).
All are welcome!
Click here for poster
