What is the difference between RNA interference and gene editing?

RNA interference and gene editing are two different methods used to manipulate gene expression.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that occurs in cells to regulate gene expression. It involves the use of small RNA molecules to target and degrade specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which are responsible for producing proteins. By degrading the mRNA, RNAi can effectively silence the expression of a particular gene. RNAi has many potential applications, including as a tool for studying gene function and as a therapeutic approach for treating diseases.

Gene editing, on the other hand, involves making intentional changes to the DNA sequence of a gene. This can be done using various techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, which uses a guide RNA to target a specific region of DNA and a Cas9 enzyme to cut the DNA. Once the DNA is cut, the cell's natural repair mechanisms can be used to introduce specific changes to the DNA sequence. Gene editing has many potential applications, including as a tool for studying gene function, as well as for developing new treatments for genetic diseases.

In summary, RNA interference and gene editing are two different methods used to manipulate gene expression. RNAi involves the use of small RNA molecules to silence gene expression, while gene editing involves making intentional changes to the DNA sequence of a gene. Both techniques have many potential applications in research and medicine.