In this chapter, we describe methods for functional genomics studies in mouse macrophages. In particular, we describe complementary methods for gene inhibition using RNA interference (RNAi) and gene overexpression. These methods are readily amenable to medium- and high-throughput functional genomics investigations. These complementary loss-of-function and gain-of-function genomic approaches provide a rapid means of investigating the function of candidate genes prior to initiating more cumbersome studies in vivo.
Keywords: Macrophage; Overexpression; RAW264.7; RNAi; siRNA.