Science And Society

RNA interference, gene silencing, drug discovery, Nobel Prize. Dr. Andrew Fire is the co-discoverer of RNA interference - gene silencing by double-stranded RNA. The Fire Lab studies a variety of natural mechanisms that are utilized by cells adapting to genetic change. RNAi is not the only cellular defense against unwanted nucleic acid, and substantial current effort in the lab is also directed at identification of other triggers and mechanisms used in recognition and response to foreign information.