Constructed by cloning several thousand siRNA template sequences ”as many as five different sequences targeting most target genes ”into the lentiviral pFIV siRNA expression vectors, the library can be transduced into both dividing and non-dividing cells, so that the individual cells express different siRNA sequences targeting different genes.

Cells from this population can then be subjected to treatment and selection for some desired phenotype or characteristic. The siRNA recovered from the selected cell population targets genes involved in the biological pathway or response being studied. The library vector construct contains the copGFP marker, a novel green fluorescent protein gene, so cells expressing siRNA can easily be visualized and selected using flow cytometry.

The GeneNet siRNA Libraries are the first of a planned series of effector libraries that will include whole genome human and mouse siRNA libraries that will provide a unique platform for a variety of genome-wide functional analyses.