• uses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as interfering agent (as opposed to single-stranded) • high degree of specificity for a gene • remarkably potent (only a few dsRNA molecules per cell are required for effective interference) • the interfering activity can be transported across cell boundaries (allows RNAi uptake from the gut and distributed to the somatic tissues and germ lines) • highly robust interference effect • RNAi is remarkably long lived and is inheritable (to its progeny) • RNAi works in planaria, trypanosomes, flies, mice and plants (although still some limitations, see Future uses of RNAi below)
