Single-cell encoded gene silencing for high-throughput combinatorial siRNA screening

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Zhenghua Liang
  • Richard Yan-Do
  • Baowen Gai
  • Linfeng Huang
  • Zhongping Li
  • Becki Yi Kuang
  • Peng Shi

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number9985
Journal / PublicationNature Communications
Volume15
Online published19 Nov 2024
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Link(s)

Abstract

The use of combinatorial siRNAs shows great promise for drug discovery, but the identification of safe and effective siRNA combinations remains challenging. Here, we develop a massively multiplexed technology for systematic screening of siRNA-based cocktail therapeutics. We employ composite micro-carriers that are responsive to near infrared light and magnetic field to achieve photoporation-facilitated siRNA transfection to individual cells. Thus, randomized gene silencing by different siRNA formulations can be performed with high-throughput single-cell-based analyses. For screening anti-cancer siRNA cocktails, we test more than 1300 siRNA combinations for knocking down multiple genes related to tumor growth, discovering effective 3-siRNA formulations with an emphasis on the critical role of inhibiting Cyclin D1 and survivin, along with their complementary targets for synergic efficacy. This approach enables orders of magnitude reduction in time and cost associated with largescale siRNA screening, and resolves key insights to siRNA pharmacology that are not permissive to existing methods. © The Author(s) 2024.

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