20 December 2000 | Ravi S Kamath, Maruxa Martinez-Campos, Peder Zipperlen, Andrew G Fraser and Julie Ahringer
This study presents an optimized method for delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to *Caenorhabditis elegans* via feeding, which is less labor-intensive and more cost-effective than traditional microinjection. The method results in phenotypes at least as strong as those produced by direct injection for embryonic lethal genes and stronger for post-embryonic phenotypes. The feeding method allows for titration of the interference effect, generating a series of hypomorphic phenotypes that provide insights into gene functions. Using this method, 13 new genes were identified, including two genes involved in neuromuscular function and one gene causing a high-incidence-of-males phenotype. The study concludes that RNAi by feeding is a viable and sometimes preferable alternative to RNAi by injection, offering new experimental approaches for genomic studies.This study presents an optimized method for delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to *Caenorhabditis elegans* via feeding, which is less labor-intensive and more cost-effective than traditional microinjection. The method results in phenotypes at least as strong as those produced by direct injection for embryonic lethal genes and stronger for post-embryonic phenotypes. The feeding method allows for titration of the interference effect, generating a series of hypomorphic phenotypes that provide insights into gene functions. Using this method, 13 new genes were identified, including two genes involved in neuromuscular function and one gene causing a high-incidence-of-males phenotype. The study concludes that RNAi by feeding is a viable and sometimes preferable alternative to RNAi by injection, offering new experimental approaches for genomic studies.