RNAi FAQs

Choosing an RNAi Format

I am new to RNAi work. Which should I choose, siRNA or shRNA?
Both methods provide viable knockdown efficiency, to better help you choose please refer to the table below.

Choosing the Appropriate RNAi Effector for your Application
  siRNA shRNA, Transfected plasmid shRNA, Lentivirus-Delivered
Cell Lines (actual efficacy highly cell type specific)
Immortalized/Cancer XXX XXX XXX
(Embryonic) Stem X X XXX
Primary X X XXX
Screening
Arrayed, (single) XXX XX XXX
Pooled, multiple genes / genome - - XXX
Pooled, single gene XXX X X
in vivo (routes)
Intratumoral XXX XXX XXX
ex vivo, implantation X X XXX
Cranial X X XX
Peritineum X X XX
Muscle XX XX XX

My gene of interest is very stable. Which RNAi format do I choose? Both methods provide viable knockdown efficiency, to better help you choose please refer to the table below.

RNAi effector Features
  siRNA shRNA, Transfected plasmid shRNA, Lentivirus-Delivered
Silencing Duration Transient (48hrs to 1wk) Transient (48hrs to 1wk), or Stable, long-term Stable, long-term
mRNA silenced 6 - 24 hours after transfection 24 - 48 hours after transfection 48 hours after transduction
Protein silenced 48 hours to 5 days post-transfection 48 hours to 5 days post-transfection 72 hours to 6 days post-transduction
Ease of Use Simple Moderate Simple
What comes Standard ~10 nmoles, desalted 1µg, TE buffer 200 µl of 1 x 10^6 TU/ml
Custom Options Yes Yes Yes

For additional questions regarding our siRNA and shRNA product lines, please select one of the links below:


shRNA FAQs