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.

New single probe method provides PCR-free detection of microRNA linked to liver toxicity

Quanterix Corporation, a company digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health, and DestiNA Genomics Ltd, a manufacturer of patented reagents for nucleic acid detection, today announced that PLOS ONE has published a proof-of-concept single probe method for detecting microRNA biomarkers associated with liver toxicity.

6 Jul 2017

Could a blood test predict how cancer spreads in children?

Traditionally, we use biopsies to try to predict how cancer spreads. There are a number of molecular markers that are used, but biopsy is a limited approach. Now, the current trend is to use liquid biopsy, which is basically a blood sample.

21 Jun 2017

Lack of 'editing' in microRNAs can potentially drive brain cancers

SCIENTISTS in the UK and India have observed a "significant" lack of 'editing' in microRNAs in brain tissue of brain cancer patients.

16 Jun 2017

Tiny microRNA could act as protective mechanism to reduce risk of epileptic seizures, say scientists

A tiny microRNA has been shown to play a beneficial role in protecting the brain from epileptic seizures in specially engineered transgenic mice. Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say it could act as a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures in humans.

5 Jun 2017

Scientists discover unexpected mechanism behind chronic nerve pain

It has long been assumed that chronic nerve pain is caused by hypersensitivity in the neurons that transmit pain.

1 Jun 2017

Researchers identify small RNA molecule that promotes deadly forms of breast cancer

Researchers from Princeton University's Department of Molecular Biology have identified a small RNA molecule that helps maintain the activity of stem cells in both healthy and cancerous breast tissue.

23 May 2017

Light-inducible antimiRs could improve wound healing in diabetes patients

MicroRNAs are interesting target structures for new therapeutic agents. They can be blocked through synthetic antimiRs.

19 May 2017

LMU scientists uncover molecular mechanism that links tumor hypoxia and metastasis

The low oxygen concentrations that prevail in many tumors enhance their propensity to metastasize to other tissues. Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich led by Professor Heiko Hermeking have now uncovered the molecular mechanism that links the two phenomena.

11 May 2017

Researchers identify microRNA biomarker linked to incidence of atrial fibrillation

Researchers have identified a microRNA biomarker that demonstrates a strong association with the incidence of atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormal heart rhythm that affects more than 2.7 million Americans.

11 May 2017

Researchers discover that microRNA can prevent excessive intestinal inflammation

An international team of researchers has discovered that a microRNA produced by certain white blood cells can prevent excessive inflammation in the intestine.

9 May 2017

MicroRNA-210 stabilizes deposits in carotid artery to prevent stroke risk

The molecule microRNA-210 stabilizes deposits in the carotid artery and can thus prevent them from tearing, and prevent dangerous blood clots from forming.

3 May 2017

Researchers uncover new potential target for treating spinal muscular atrophy

Though spinal muscular atrophy in its most severe form remains incurable and fatal in early childhood, researchers are sustaining a multipronged counterattack for patients and their families. The first treatment for the disease gained U.S. market approval in December.

2 May 2017

Researchers identify appetite-suppression mechanism in flies

Researchers have identified a molecule sent by fat cells to the fly brain that senses when they have had enough food and inhibits feeding, according to a study publishing March 28 in the open access journal PLOS Biology by Walton Jones of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Daejeon, and colleagues.

29 Mar 2017

Treatment with microRNA re-insulates ravaged nerves, restores limb mobility in mouse models of MS

Scientists partially re-insulated ravaged nerves in mouse models of multiple sclerosis (MS) and restored limb mobility by treating the animals with a small non-coding RNA called a microRNA.

27 Mar 2017

Data protection in medical research: Computer scientists crack anonymity of genetic information

DNA profiles can reveal a number of details about individuals, and even about their family members. There are laws in place that regulate the trade of gene data, which has become much simpler and cheaper to analyze today.

27 Mar 2017

New markers linked to recurrence of erratic heartbeats in some patients after ablation therapy

Ablation procedures restore a regular heartbeat in patients who have a dangerous, abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. But it doesn't always work. Now, a new study suggests that certain molecules are associated with the recurrence of erratic heartbeats in some patients after ablation therapy.

20 Mar 2017

TSRI researchers develop new drug candidates to target prostate and triple negative breast cancers

Scientists on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have designed two new drug candidates to target prostate and triple negative breast cancers.

9 Mar 2017

Researchers develop innovative nanobiodevice that enables rapid detection of cancer biomarker

Like DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a type of polymeric biomolecule essential for life, playing important roles in gene processing.

8 Mar 2017

UAlberta scientists use nanomachines for improved disease detection and drug delivery

University of Alberta scientists have pulled into the lead in a race to use nanomachines for improved disease detection and drug delivery in patients.

6 Mar 2017

Using Spherical Nucleic Acids to Track and Treat Disease

Spherical nucleic acids are structures that are made by taking a nanoparticle template and using chemistry to arrange short strands of DNA or RNA on the surface of those particles. The spherical core of the nanoparticle creates a spherical arrangement of DNA or RNA, similar to tiny little balls of nucleic acids.

From Pittcon 1 Mar 2017