Noncoding RNA molecules called Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) normally suppress gene activity in humans. Geneticists are using piRNAs in nematode worms for gene silencing to allow biomedical research and drug development to advance. They created a 21-letter RNA sequence and combined it with natural piRNA machinery and silenced certain genes. They were able to skew the number of male and female worm offspring in addition to inhibiting other genes. They also created a portal to allow other scientists to generate their own piRNA. They discovered that different genes can be silenced for different time periods (up to six generations!). They can also turn off permanently if the piRNA is depleted completely.
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