Gene Silencing Methods: CRISPR vs. TALENs vs. RNAi

Are you looking to perform a gene silencing project? Should you use CRISPR, RNAi, or TALENs to get the job done? In this video, we’ll explain how each system works and how they differ in terms of experimental set-up, efficiency, off-target effects, and more. You'll learn some important considerations when setting up projects using each system and some common applications.

The first thing you need to know is the difference between a gene knockout and a gene knockdown. A gene knockout is when a gene has acquired a frameshift mutation such that the cell no longer expresses any functional protein. A gene knockdown is when gene expression is reduced but not completely eliminated. CRISPR and TALENs are used to perform gene knockouts or introduce genetic mutations whereas RNAi is used for gene knockdowns.

Some systems, such as CRISPR and RNAi are easier to design whereas other systems such as TALENs can be more labor intensive. Some systems such as CRISPR and TALENs can be modified to expand their uses in gene manipulation whereas other systems such as RNAi are more restricted in their uses. Similarly, some systems such as CRISPR can be modified to reduce off-target effects, whereas other systems, such as RNAi can cause significant off-target effects.

We hope this video helps you decide which system is best for your gene silencing project!

For more information about the CRISPR, TALENs, and RNAi gene silencing methods, visit:

For a list of theoretical and practical CRISPR resources:

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[animeloverXinuyasha]

Wow fantastic video! Well structured and explained, and great animations to go with it. The narrator also speaks very clearly. Brilliant!

[suleiman]

This video is so easy to listen to - I'm in the biotech industry and this is incredibly helpful background, thank you! Do you have other channels you admire that also break down cell & gene therapies?

[hasnaalashi]

woow if only there is more videos like this one, , , many thanks from Saudi Arabia

[kirtisharma]

Its the best explanation I've ever seen.Thankyou so much for the video. Keep posting

[pankajkumar-hbqp]

Thank you very much for this amazing comparison of these three mechanisms of gene editing

[thesuperbiology]

Great explanation 👏👏👏well structured with beautiful narration and animation.

[markinzhirov]

Great video, thanks for posting and helping promote scientific literacy!

[edpalen]

outstanding explanation. Kudos to everybody involved in this project.

[reshmavalecha]

Wow... Fantastic.. great explanation nd well articulated... Wishing you more success 👍

[vyankateshzambare]

Nice animations... Keep making such videos... Thank you

[MrSivaratnakar]

Wow. Great explanation. Thanks for making this video.

[Pollux_]

Thank you so much! This helped me a lot :)

[Ap-zqlb]

Please explain application of these techniques in various deseases.

[kiriaki_kt]

I would also like to see a Video about Auxin inducible Degron Technology (AID)

[mikedaniels]

Thanks very much. And the cream of the crop would be to tell people WHICH companies are best positioned to which medical breakthrough and therefore WHICH STOCKs will perform best.

[yani-bmuc]

Question

Does Gene editing means knockout target genes and gene sliencing means knockdown genes? So crispr and talen is different with RNAI

[mariavelazquez]

Help my name is maria i have two boys with duchenne one21 and 15. Help please deletion 46-52 i li e in nevada i would go any were to find a cure for them

[saiyenbreakers]

Thanks a lot ! Why you didn't compare also with the Cre-Lox System ?

[arunkumar-yjgn]

Hi iam ARUNKUMAR PhD scholar from iit Hyderabad india I want to knock down an enzyme producing gene which one is best technique in terms of expenses and time requirements.do u have experts who help how to plan research