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.

miRNAs may generate new insights on cancer and possible future treatments

Scientists are methodically unlocking the biological processes that lead to cancer, and recent discoveries with microRNAs (miRNAs) are revolutionizing their understanding and leading to clinical trials of potentially effective treatments.

21 Apr 2010

NanoString Technologies launches new miRNA assay kits

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a complete solution for detecting and counting large sets of target molecules in biological samples, today announced a unique new product for miRNA analysis that includes a multiplexed assay for profiling the human miRNA transcriptome in a single tube. The company introduced the new assay kit, which expands the applications for its nCounter® Analysis System, at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting.

From NanoString Technologies 20 Apr 2010

UAB researchers discover four miRNAs to assess survival rate of colorectal cancer patients

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pathology have discovered a set of four biomarkers that will help predict which patients are more likely to develop aggressive colorectal cancer and which are not. The findings also shed light on the genetics that result in worse colorectal cancer-treatment outcomes for African-Americans, compared with Caucasians, the researchers said.

20 Apr 2010

Biomarkers to help predict development of aggressive colorectal cancer discovered

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pathology have discovered a set of four biomarkers that will help predict which patients are more likely to develop aggressive colorectal cancer and which are not. The findings also shed light on the genetics that result in worse colorectal cancer-treatment outcomes for African-Americans, compared with Caucasians, the researchers said.

19 Apr 2010

TGen, Asuragen sign microRNA technology agreement for pancreatic cancer research

The Translational Genomics Research Institute and Asuragen Inc. today announced a research agreement that could lead to ways of detecting cancer before it spreads.

17 Apr 2010

MiRNA-21 interferes with Herceptin therapy, says study

Overexpression of a specific type of microRNA can derail treatment by disabling an important molecular brake on breast cancer cell proliferation, according to evidence presented by researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010.

17 Apr 2010

Regulus Therapeutics' metabolic disease program data presented at Diabetes Keystone Symposium

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. today announced that new data from its metabolic disease program were presented at the "Diabetes" Keystone Symposium held April 12-17 in Whistler, British Columbia. The new pre-clinical research findings showed that therapeutic oligonucleotides targeting microRNA are able to improve insulin resistance and normalize plasma glucose in mouse models of diabetes while having no significant effect on glucose or insulin levels in normal mice.

16 Apr 2010

Researchers identify new strategy for treating acute myeloid leukemia

Researchers have identified a self-feeding "vicious circle" of molecules that keeps acute leukemia cells alive and growing and that drives the disease forward.

15 Apr 2010

High level of microRNAs found in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently discovered that widespread activity of a specific class of genes can identify aggressive, or high-risk, cases of the disease.

13 Apr 2010

RXi Pharmaceuticals, miRagen Therapeutics enter into research collaboration

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA -based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have entered into a research collaboration.

13 Apr 2010

RXi Pharmaceuticals, Mirna Therapeutics form microRNA research collaboration

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi), announced today that it has entered into a research collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics (Austin, TX), to determine the utility of combining RXi's proprietary rxRNA™ technology with Mirna's microRNA mimics as potential therapeutics in oncology. The parties will each contribute technology and resources to the collaboration to generate and evaluate novel microRNA compounds.

12 Apr 2010

Rosetta Genomics to present posters on microRNA-based technologies at AACR 2010

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostic tests, announced today it will present multiple posters at the upcoming American Association of Cancer Research's 101st Annual Meeting to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. from April 17-21, 2010.

12 Apr 2010

USPTO allows Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' new claims from Woppmann et al. patent series

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that the United States Patent Office (USPTO) has allowed a patent (Application No. 10/560,336) for the Woppmann et al. patent series, entitled "Double-stranded ribonucleic acid with increased effectiveness in an organism." The newly allowed patent includes 31 claims broadly covering compositions and methods, including pharmaceutical compositions, for small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the molecules that mediate RNAi.

8 Apr 2010

Rosetta Genomics' Philadelphia lab commences FNA cell block sample analysis with miRview squamous test

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that starting April 1, 2010 physicians are able to send FNA cell block samples to Rosetta Genomics' CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Philadelphia for analysis using Rosetta's miRview squamous test. FNA is a less invasive method to obtain tumor cells compared with tumor resections or biopsies.

5 Apr 2010

SwitchGear Genomics introduces GoClone miRNA research tool

SwitchGear Genomics, Inc., a leading provider of products for studying regulatory elements in the human genome, today announced the launch of a unique research tool for screening for miRNA function in living cells. The new SwitchGear GoClone™ miRNA target sets utilize experimentally-validated luciferase reporter vectors to accurately quantify human 3'UTR activity in response to a number of relevant miRNAs.

2 Apr 2010

Japanese Patent Office grants Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' claims in second patent application for Tuschl II

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that the Japanese Patent Office has granted claims in a second patent application (JP Application Number 2006-317758) for the Tuschl II patent series, entitled "RNA Interference Mediating Small RNA Molecules." In May 2008, the Japanese Patent Office granted a related set of claims in the Tuschl II patent series (JP 4 095 895).

31 Mar 2010

Rosetta Genomics reports revenues of $150,000 for full-year 2009

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, today reported that on March 26, 2010 the Company filed its Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Committee, which contains financial results for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2009.

31 Mar 2010

GSK, Isis Pharmaceuticals collaborate to develop new therapeutics for rare and serious disease

GlaxoSmithKline and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today a new strategic alliance that will apply the Isis antisense drug discovery platform to seek out and develop new therapeutics against targets for rare and serious disease, including infectious diseases and some conditions causing blindness.

31 Mar 2010

Development and validation process of Rosetta Genomics' miRview mets published

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announces publication of an article describing the development and validation process of miRview™ mets, the company's microRNA-based test for identification of primary origin of metastases.

30 Mar 2010

Systemic treatment of microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-10b inhibits breast cancer metastasis

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. today announced the publication of new results in the journal Nature Biotechnology by Regulus scientists and collaborators. The new study demonstrated that systemic treatment of a microRNA therapeutic targeting microRNA-10b in tumor-bearing mice inhibits breast cancer metastasis. Cancer-related metastasis is a major cause of mortality and current cancer treatments have limited utility suppressing the metastatic spread of cancer cells. microRNA therapeutics targeting miR-10b represent a promising approach for the discovery and development of a novel anti-metastatic agent.

30 Mar 2010

MicroRNA News and Research

Further Reading

miRNAs may generate new insights on cancer and possible future treatments

NanoString Technologies launches new miRNA assay kits

UAB researchers discover four miRNAs to assess survival rate of colorectal cancer patients

Biomarkers to help predict development of aggressive colorectal cancer discovered

TGen, Asuragen sign microRNA technology agreement for pancreatic cancer research

MiRNA-21 interferes with Herceptin therapy, says study

Regulus Therapeutics' metabolic disease program data presented at Diabetes Keystone Symposium

Researchers identify new strategy for treating acute myeloid leukemia

High level of microRNAs found in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma

RXi Pharmaceuticals, miRagen Therapeutics enter into research collaboration

RXi Pharmaceuticals, Mirna Therapeutics form microRNA research collaboration

Rosetta Genomics to present posters on microRNA-based technologies at AACR 2010

USPTO allows Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' new claims from Woppmann et al. patent series

Rosetta Genomics' Philadelphia lab commences FNA cell block sample analysis with miRview squamous test

SwitchGear Genomics introduces GoClone miRNA research tool

Japanese Patent Office grants Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' claims in second patent application for Tuschl II

Rosetta Genomics reports revenues of $150,000 for full-year 2009

GSK, Isis Pharmaceuticals collaborate to develop new therapeutics for rare and serious disease

Development and validation process of Rosetta Genomics' miRview mets published

Systemic treatment of microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-10b inhibits breast cancer metastasis

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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