Sheffield RNAi Screening Centre. (360G-Wellcome-084757_Z_08_Z)

The discovery of the RNAi effect and its application both in cultured cells and in vivo has revolutionised the field of reverse genetics. For the first time systematic genome-wide approaches can feasibly be undertaken to investigate the consequences of knocking down expression of essentially every gene. Using a range of assays including luminometry and high-content imaging, genome wide RNAi screens can identify loci whose products are involved in a wide range of biological processes. This appl ication aims to set up the first stage of a centre to allow whole genome RNAi screening to be made available at low cost to a wide scientific community. Using a second generation in silico optimized library of dsRNA in cultured cells, as well as a subset of a recently developed in vivo library, we will develop and make available a resource to rapidly and cost effectively undertake genome wide screens. This will use Drosophila as a low complexity, RNAi tractable, gateway to provide starting point s by which to better understand higher complexity vertebrate systems. It is planned to establish and trial this centre locally before ultimately opening it to the wider UK scientific community.