Interference RNA for In vivo Knock-Down of Gene Expression or Genome-Wide Screening Using shRNA

With the lack of tools available to manipulate the rat genome, alternative technologies have been investigated to generate loss-of-function rat models by gene invalidation. The recent demonstration that RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing occurs in rodents has opened new opportunities for rat functional genetics. In this chapter, we provide some practical guidelines for RNAi working in rat, based on the recent design and development of mice and rat Knock down models.