 RNAi is a valuable research tool , both in cell culture and in living organisms , because synthetic dsRNA introduced into cells can selectively and robustly induce suppression of specific genes of interest . RNAi may be used for large @-@ scale screens that systematically shut down each gene in the cell , which can help to identify the components necessary for a particular cellular process or an event such as cell division . The pathway is also used as a practical tool in biotechnology , medicine and insecticides . 
