Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating ischemia (such as ischemia repertusion injury (IRI)) in tissue (such as transplant donor tissue), comprising contacting the tissue during ex vivo perfusion with a therapeutically effective amount of RNAi (such as siRNA) that specifically hinds to at least a portion of a gene (such as p53) that mediates ischemic injury in the tissue. The invention's methods additionally decrease the risk of tissue rejection and/or or induce immunological tolerance to transplanted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention, at least in part, relates to the discovery of efficacious delivery of an RNAi agent (in preferred aspects of the invention, an siRNA) to a transplantable tissue. Organ rejection, transplantation-mediated transmission of viral infection, and triggering of apoptosis in transplanted tissues can each be minimized by the methods and compositions of the instant invention. The RNAi agent(s) of the instant invention can be delivered as “naked” molecules, or using liposomal and other modes of delivery, to transplantable tissues. Such delivery can occur via perfusion of the RNAi agent in solution through the vasculature of a whole or partial organ; or tissues including transplantable cells and cell lines may be bathed, injected or otherwise treated with RNAi agents. Preferred transplantable tissues include, for example, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart, lung, and all cells and cell lines derived from such tissues (e.g., pancreatic islet cells that may, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying druggable targets in assays that feature compositions, cells and/or organisms having interspersed repetitive element (IRE) RNAs and an RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Methods for identifying therapeutic agents and creating vaccines are also featured. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting RNAi involving IRE RNAs or inhibitory derivatives thereof. The invention also provides compositions for delivering siRNA and miRNA molecules derived from IRE loci and methods of use thereof. Therapeutic methods are also featured.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying druggable targets in assays that feature compositions, cells and/or organisms having structured viral non-coding RNAs (svRNAs) and an RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Methods for identifying antiviral agents and creating vaccines are also featured. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting RNAi involving svRNAs or inhibitory derivatives thereof. The invention also provides compositions for delivering siRNA and miRNA molecules derived from svRNA loci and methods of use thereof. Therapeutic methods are also featured.