Morphological complexity. Large-scale fly cell RNAi screen. Breaking report.

Data corresponding to the screen reported in this paper are available at flyrnai.org and through PubChem. The fly cell screen was done in Kc cells. The study includes mammalian cell follow-up.

Yin et al. A screen for morphological complexity identifies regulators of switch-like transitions between discrete cell shapes. Nature Cell Biology (2013) doi:10.1038/ncb2764.

piRNAs--genome-wide screen. Breaking report.

On my desk to read today? This report of an RNAi screen performed in ovarian somatic sheet cells.

Muerdter F, Guzzardo PM, Gillis J, Luo Y, Yu Y, Chen C, Fekete R, Hannon GJ. A Genome-wide RNAi Screen Draws a Genetic Framework for Transposon Control and Primary piRNA Biogenesis in Drosophila. Mol Cell. 2013 May 9. PMID: 23665228.

Differential RNAi and small libraries. Recent report.

Here's an example of a study that used two of the DRSC small libraries. These libraries have an optimal layout (limits edge effects) and average 2 or more unique dsRNAs per gene.

Garcia MA, Alvarez MS, Sailem H, Bousgouni V, Sero J, Bakal C. Differential RNAi screening provides insights into the rewiring of signalling networks during oxidative stress. Mol Biosyst. 2012 Oct;8(10):2605-13. PMID: 22790786.

New small library for cell-based RNAi screens: RNA binding proteins

For blog readers first: The DRSC recently created a new library for cell-based RNAi. The library targets RNA binding proteins. Average of 2 unique reagents per gene. Please contact the DRSC director for more info.

EDRC abstract deadline extended to June 12th

There's still to submit an abstract to the 23rd European Drosophila Research Conference. Just saw a notice that the abstract deadline was extended to June 12, 2013.

Catching up--RNAi screen for modifiers of disease-related toxicity

VoSSfeldt H, Butzlaff M, PrüSSing K, Ní Chárthaigh RA, Karsten P, Lankes A, Hamm S, Simons M, Adryan B, Schulz JB, Voigt A. Large-scale screen for modifiers of ataxin-3-derived polyglutamine-induced toxicity in Drosophila. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e47452. PMID: 23139745; PMCID: PMC3489908.

Recent review--immune responses

This review appears to have a particular focus on the use of RNAi screening to study Drosophila immune responses.

Valanne S. Functional genomic analysis of the Drosophila immune response. Dev Comp Immunol. 2013 May 21. PMID: 23707784.