Biofluids MicroRNAs (Bf-miRNAs)

Sensitive, specific and Stable biomarkers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (21-25 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs and present in cells as well as biofluids (body fluids or biological fluids). Their significances stems from their ability to   provide additional layer of gene regulation by binding to specific mRNA (messenger RNA) and promoting either mRNA degradation or translation inhibition. A single miRNA can regulate many mRNAs and one mRNA is regulated by several different miRNAs; hence miRNAs have substantial effect on global gene expression. miRNA expression pattern indicates different cellular stages. In addition, miRNAs have been shown to be well-protected in biofluids. Since miRNAs present in biofluids are stable (protected by degradation/well preserved), sensitive (can be detected at very low levels) and specific (often represent tissue/cell type), there is great interest in development of Biofluids miRNAs as potential biomarkers for disease detection/prediction and prognosis. This website is dedicated to provide information on isolation and sequencing of Biofluids MicroRNAs and research & developments on Biofluids MicroRNAs.

Here is great talk by David Bartel: Introduction to MicroRNAs

David Bartel (Whitehead Institute/MIT/HHMI) Part 1: MicroRNAs: Introduction to MicroRNAs