RNA Interference in Planarians: Feeding and Injection of Synthetic dsRNA

RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the simplest and easiest methods for specifically perturbing gene function in an organism. In planarian research, RNAi is one of the essential methods for defining gene functions not only during regeneration, but also during other life history stages. Since the first report of the efficacy of RNAi in planarians in 1999, several RNAi protocols have been reported. Here, we describe protocols to synthesize and deliver synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to planarians, either by injection or by feeding. Both are easy, effective, and economical means of investigating gene functions in planarians.