MicroRNA News and Research

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In genetics, microRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 21-23 nucleotides in length, which regulate gene expression. miRNAs are encoded by genes from whose DNA they are transcribed but miRNAs are not translated into protein (i.e. they are non-coding RNAs); instead each primary transcript (a pri-miRNA) is processed into a short stem-loop structure called a pre-miRNA and finally into a functional miRNA. Mature miRNA molecules are partially complementary to one or more messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, and their main function is to down-regulate gene expression.

Research elucidates maturation of cancer-causing miRNAs

An international research team led by Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technical University of Munich and the University of Edinburgh has used an integrated structural biological approach to elucidate the maturation of a cancer-causing microRNA in gene regulation.

4 Jul 2018

Mount Sinai study identifies potential new treatment target for aggressive bladder cancer

A potential new target for treatment has been identified in an aggressive form of bladder cancer, Mount Sinai researchers report.

4 Jul 2018

New clues may lead to rapid detection of sepsis

Sepsis is an infection that kills as many Americans each year as stroke and Alzheimer's combined-about 250,000-but very little has changed in the treatment of this age-old scourge.

3 Jul 2018

New biomarker paves way for personalized bladder cancer treatments

Researchers have identified a potential new target for the treatment of a particularly aggressive form of bladder cancer, in the form of microRNA.

2 Jul 2018

Study finds that several existing anti-cancer drugs may work in part by binding to RNA

Bolstering the notion that RNA should be considered an important drug-discovery target, scientists at Scripps Research have found that several existing, FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs may work, in part, by binding tightly to RNA, the regulators of the basic activities of life within cells.

30 Jun 2018

Tiny snippets of genetic material may help with early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Indiana University have found early evidence that tiny snippets of genetic material called microRNA may help with early detection of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

29 Jun 2018

Rethinking current method paves way for new, personalized cancer diagnostics

All diseases have a genetic component. Advances in understanding the genetic mechanisms behind these disease enables the development of early diagnostic tests, new treatments, or interventions to prevent disease onset or minimize disease severity.

28 Jun 2018

MicroRNAs may hold key to predict how someone is affected by sleep loss

The key to predicting how someone is affected by sleep loss may be found in microRNAs, according to a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

4 Jun 2018

Screening preemies for microRNA biomarkers may allow early intervention of cerebral palsy

As the first step toward predicting cerebral palsy in premature infants, scientists have identified a panel of microRNAs that are changed in babies who later develop abnormal muscle tone.

1 Jun 2018

New RNA deletion tool could help create drugs that correct genetic diseases

As scientists gain insights into which genes drive diseases, they are pursuing the next logical question: Can gene editing technologies be developed to treat or even cure those diseases? Much of that effort has focused on developing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, a protein-based system.

30 May 2018

Study identifies new mechanism involved in development of Lou Gehrig's disease

A new Tel Aviv University study identifies a previously unknown mechanism involved in the development of Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

23 May 2018

Study uncovers mechanism underlying brain malformation linked to severe epilepsy

One of the most frequent causes of drug-resistant epilepsy, considered a difficult disease to control, is a brain malformation known as focal cortical dysplasia.

16 May 2018

Unexpected discovery could improve detection of malaria infections

While the global health community has made great strides toward eradicating malaria through prevention and treatment strategies, rapid and inexpensive methods to diagnose submicroscopic malaria in individuals who have no clinical symptoms and undetectable levels of disease-causing parasites in their blood remain an unmet need.

4 May 2018

Novel cell-based screening array reduces time and cost of drug discovery

Porvair Sciences has collaborated with Persomics Inc. to develop and supply ANSI/SLAS format Arrays as an OEM product for their ImagineArray™ platform.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 28 Apr 2018

New studies related to causes of liver degradation and possible treatments

A treatment gap remains for many conditions involving damage to the liver, the body's main organ for removing toxins, among other functions. The Experimental Biology 2018 meeting (EB 2018) will feature important research announcements related to the causes of liver degradation and possible treatments.

23 Apr 2018

Nanotechnology-based treatment approach shown to be effective in mouse models of lung cancer

The most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), continues to be difficult to treat, with five year survival rates of about 36 percent for stage 3A tumors.

11 Apr 2018

Researchers explore treatment target for acute kidney injury

When you have diabetes then get an acute kidney injury there is a multiplier effect that can worsen your prognosis and destroy your kidneys.

10 Apr 2018

Aging immune cells increase risk for macular degeneration

As people age, their immune systems age, too. And new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that aging immune cells increase the risk for age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the United States.

5 Apr 2018

Researchers develop technology to program DNA for delivering cancer drugs

DNA has an important job – it tells your cells which proteins to make. Now, a research team at the University of Delaware has developed technology to program strands of DNA into switches that turn proteins on and off.

19 Mar 2018

Researchers uncover four microRNAs as potential biomarkers for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular, and often rapid, heart rate. It increases the risk of developing strokes, heart failure, and even dementia. Although it can be associated with aging, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart valve problems, etc, about one-third of patients with AF have no symptoms until they suffer a stroke.

16 Mar 2018