siRNA Research Programs

How this supports a project

A material specification should map the sense and antisense strands separately, including sugar modifications, backbone linkages, termini, overhangs, and any conjugation site.

Treat the duplex as two defined strands

A synthetic siRNA duplex is not specified by a single sequence. The sense and antisense strands have separate sequences, termini, and modification maps; overhangs and conjugation sites must also be assigned to a specific strand and position.

Modification patterns are design-dependent. Published work with 2′-O-methyl and 2′-fluoro residues shows that placement across both strands affects stability and RNAi activity, so a pattern established for one design should not be presented as a universal substitution rule.

How material decisions enter the program

Define both strands

Record the sense and antisense sequences, strand lengths, overhangs, and intended duplex format.

Map every modification

Assign each sugar, base, backbone, and terminal modification to its exact position on the correct strand.

Select monomers, supports, and cycle chemistry

Match protected phosphoramidites, solid supports, oxidation or sulfurization steps, and deprotection conditions to each strand design.

Synthesize and purify the strands separately

Plan cleavage, deprotection, and purification for each strand before duplex formation.

Install the conjugate when required

Define the conjugated strand, attachment position, ligand architecture, spacer, and whether the handle is introduced on-support or after synthesis.

Form and characterize the duplex

Anneal the purified strands and define methods for strand identity, purity, duplex formation, and conjugate confirmation.

What to define before an inquiry

Sense and antisense sequences

Provide both strands with orientation and overhangs; a target gene name is not a material specification.

Position-by-position modification map

Identify 2′-OMe, 2′-F, unmodified RNA, modified bases, and other residues at their exact locations.

Backbone and terminal pattern

Mark phosphorothioate positions, terminal phosphates or analogues, and any blocked or functionalized end.

Conjugation definition

State the strand, end or internal site, ligand or lipid handle, linker, and reaction pair.

Analytical plan

Define the required checks for each strand, the conjugated species, and the annealed duplex.

Application boundary

This page covers material and chemistry planning for siRNA research. It does not select target sequences, predict silencing activity, establish a delivery route, or support safety, clinical, or regulatory conclusions. Those decisions require sequence-specific and program-specific experimental data.

Related catalog and technical pages

Oligonucleotide synthesis and modification materialsBrowse modified phosphoramidites, supports, sulfurizing reagents, and other strand-synthesis inputs.Oligo conjugation and delivery ligandsBrowse GalNAc ligands, lipid and cholesterol handles, click handles, and oligo-conjugation linkers.Oligonucleotide modification platformReview the CHEMOS scope for strand modification, backbone chemistry, terminal handles, and conjugation.Hepatocyte-targeted deliveryReview the chemistry inputs and project questions associated with GalNAc-based liver-directed research.GalNAc versus lipid conjugationCompare the material and attachment questions raised by two different oligonucleotide-conjugation routes.