Grant: Idea to Innovation

siRNAs are gene-silencing oligonucleotides that have an important role in biotechnology and as potential next*generation therapeutics. Within life sciences, siRNAs are important to elucidate gene function and characterize*complex biological pathways. One of the challenges in using siRNAs involves controlling its use once*administered inside of the cell. Azobenzene is a photoswitchable molecule that can isomerize between two*forms, cis and trans in the presence of UV and visible light, respectively. We have developed siRNAzos, that*are gene-silencing siRNAs that contain azobenzene. We have shown that siRNAzos can be reversibly activated*and inactiavted within cells with visible and UV light, respectively. We have also developed a tetrachlorinated*azobenzene that is capable of isomerizing between cis and trans with different colored light. In this phase of*the proposal, we will develop a dual siRNAzo system that targets different genes, and the two siRNAzos once*transfected in cells, can be selectively activated and inactivated with different wavelengths. This will give*researchers access to new biotechnological tools by providing them a platform for controlled gene-silencing.*This system will facilitate the characterization of complex biological pathways.