“Shocking” the System to Achieve Efficient Gene Targeting in Primary Human Airway Epithelia
Year: 2019
Type: editorial
Abstract: The ability to knock out specific genes to gain an understanding of their function is a mainstay of modern research, and the use of technologies to achieve this goal to study pulmonary biology is no exception. Homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, antisense oligonucleotides, sh/siRNA, and CRISPR-mediated deletions are widely known and used. Most of these methods will perform well in various model systems and cell lines, with the classic method, homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, being highly useful in animals. However, for translational questions, interspecies and/or cell line differences often require confirmation of functional findings in primary human cells. Primary human airway cultures are a highly valued model to study pulmonary biology, and the application of robust gene knockdown technologies to these cells is a valuable method to foster our knowledge in this field. Unfortunately, as with other primary cell models, primary airway cells generally remain persistently defiant to easy genetic manipulation.
Authors: Wanda K. O’Neal, Carla M. P. Ribeiro
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2982055406