Recently, we developed a novel technique based on RNA/DNA hybrid reassociation that allows conditional activation of different split functionalities inside diseased cells and in vivo. We further expanded this idea to permit simultaneous activation of multiple different functions in a fully controllable fashion. In this chapter, we discuss some novel computational approaches and experimental techniques aimed at the characterization, design, and production of reassociating RNA/DNA hybrids containing split functionalities. We also briefly describe several experimental techniques that can be used to test these hybrids in vitro and in vivo.
Keywords: RNA/DNA hybrids; Specific gene silencing; Split functionalities; Thermodynamic of RNA/DNA hybrids reassociation; siRNA delivery.
2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.