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.

Researchers discover that carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells

Researchers at New York University and the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells. Their findings, which appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show how these molecules may serve as signals for cancer and explain what's going on inside these cells, pointing to new ways in which sugars function as a looking glass into the workings of their underlying structures.

4 Mar 2014

Scientists unveil role of microRNAs in regulating neuroblastoma, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and lethal types of childhood cancers. In a paper published online today in OncoTarget, a researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio unveils the important role of microRNAs in regulating neuroblastoma development, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities.

3 Mar 2014

Plasma microRNA test boosts lung cancer screening

The ability to screen for lung cancer is improved by the development of a plasma 24-microRNA signature classifier, research suggests.

28 Feb 2014

Study provides novel insight into the impact of genes on Huntington's disease

A study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine provides novel insight into the impact that genes may have on Huntington's disease (HD). The study, published online in PLOS Genetics, identified specific small segments of RNA (called micro RNA or miRNA) encoded in DNA in the human genome that are highly expressed in HD.

27 Feb 2014

Brain's ability to rebuild itself after stroke holds promise for treating long-term disability in adults

Enhancing the brain's inherent ability to rebuild itself after a stroke with molecular components of stem cells holds enormous promise for treating the leading cause of long-term disability in adults.

14 Feb 2014

Scientists develop new approach to design drugs from genome sequence

In research that could ultimately lead to many new medicines, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a potentially general approach to design drugs from genome sequence. As a proof of principle, they identified a highly potent compound that causes cancer cells to attack themselves and die.

10 Feb 2014

Neuroscientist, researchers receive Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to name Thomas M. Jessell as the winner of the 2014 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. Awarded annually, the Vilcek Prizes honor the contributions of immigrants to the American arts and sciences, and include $100,000 cash awards.

30 Jan 2014

Findings on molecular defects behind bladder cancer may pave way for new, targeted treatments

The once sketchy landscape of the molecular defects behind bladder cancer now resembles a road map to new, targeted treatments thanks to the unified efforts of scientists and physicians at 40 institutions.

30 Jan 2014

Scientists provide new insights into molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation

The findings of the scientists of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) at Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) provide new insights into the molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation.

25 Jan 2014

Researchers suggest new targets may provide druggable alternatives to Ewing's Sarcoma

Ewing's Sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer, most commonly caused by the improper fusion of the gene EWS with the gene FLI1. Though the cause has long been known, therapeutic targeting of this fusion has to date proven very difficult.

22 Jan 2014

Diagnostic microRNA panels in blood may help in early detection of pancreatic cancer

Researchers have identified diagnostic microRNA panels in whole blood that had the ability to distinguish, to some degree, patients with and without pancreatic cancer, according to a study in the January 22/29 issue of JAMA.

21 Jan 2014

Childhood brain cancer (ETMR/ETANTR): an interview with Dr. Nada Jabado, Department of Pediatrics at McGill University

Embryonal tumours with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) are rare, deadly brain tumours that affect mainly children below the age of 4 years. There are 300 cases reported but probably there are many more as this tumour is often misdiagnosed.

21 Jan 2014

New Microlab® NIMBUS® Select workstation with Ranger Technology launched by Hamilton Robotics and Coastal Genomics

At the annual Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) meeting Hamilton Robotics has announced a partnership with Coastal Genomics to launch the new Microlab® NIMBUS® Select workstation with Ranger Technology. The new automated workstation provides a faster and more economical automated solution to agarose gel selection of DNA fragments, generating high-quality material for downstream use in next-generation sequencing (NGS), cloning and gene synthesis applications.

20 Jan 2014

Study shows interactions between skin stem cells and cells responsible for renewal of skin

The human body is daily exposed to external assaults such as bacteria, ultraviolet light or chemical agents. Skin, the largest organ of the body, is the first line of defense against these agents.

20 Jan 2014

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a microRNA biomarker that shows promise in predicting treatment response in the most common form of ovarian cancer - a breakthrough that has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with the disease.

9 Jan 2014

Researchers develop new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers

Doctors may soon be able to diagnose stomach ulcers without taking tissue samples from the stomach. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark now report to have developed a new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers.

8 Jan 2014

Marina Biotech, Mirna modify license agreement regarding development of microRNA-based therapeutics

Marina Biotech, Inc., a leading oligonucleotide-based drug discovery and development company, and Mirna Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company pioneering microRNA replacement therapy for cancer, announced today that they have amended their license agreement regarding the development and commercialization of microRNA-based therapeutics utilizing Mirna's proprietary microRNAs and Marina Biotech's novel SMARTICLES liposomal delivery technology.

3 Jan 2014

EMA accepts Otsuka's marketing authorisation application for tolvaptan for treatment of ADPKD

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted the submission of a marketing authorisation application (MAA) for the potential approval of tolvaptan for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

27 Dec 2013

Mirimus develops enhanced tools for reversible gene suppression

Over the last decades, RNA interference (RNAi) has become an indispensable tool for functional genetic studies by harnessing the power of a cell intrinsic mechanism enabling reversible gene silencing.

17 Dec 2013

Alnylam initiates Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc for treatment of ATTR

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has initiated a pilot Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc, a subcutaneously delivered RNAi therapeutic targeting the transthyretin gene in development for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis.

17 Dec 2013

MicroRNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers discover that carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells

Scientists unveil role of microRNAs in regulating neuroblastoma, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities

Plasma microRNA test boosts lung cancer screening

Study provides novel insight into the impact of genes on Huntington's disease

Brain's ability to rebuild itself after stroke holds promise for treating long-term disability in adults

Scientists develop new approach to design drugs from genome sequence

Neuroscientist, researchers receive Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

Findings on molecular defects behind bladder cancer may pave way for new, targeted treatments

Scientists provide new insights into molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation

Researchers suggest new targets may provide druggable alternatives to Ewing's Sarcoma

Diagnostic microRNA panels in blood may help in early detection of pancreatic cancer

Childhood brain cancer (ETMR/ETANTR): an interview with Dr. Nada Jabado, Department of Pediatrics at McGill University

New Microlab® NIMBUS® Select workstation with Ranger Technology launched by Hamilton Robotics and Coastal Genomics

Study shows interactions between skin stem cells and cells responsible for renewal of skin

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Researchers develop new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers

Marina Biotech, Mirna modify license agreement regarding development of microRNA-based therapeutics

EMA accepts Otsuka's marketing authorisation application for tolvaptan for treatment of ADPKD

Mirimus develops enhanced tools for reversible gene suppression

Alnylam initiates Phase II study with ALN-TTRsc for treatment of ATTR

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