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The discovery approaches and detection methods of microRNAs

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, highly conserved, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression of target mRNAs through cleavage or translational inhibition. Computer-based approaches for miRNA gene identification are being considered as indispensable in miRNAs research. Similarly, experimental approaches for detection of miRNAs are crucial to the testing and validating of computational algorithms. The detection of miRNAs in tissues or cells can supply valuable information for investigating the biological function of these molecules. Selective and highly sensitive detection methods will pave the way for extended understanding of miRNA function within organisms. In this review, we summarize the various computational methods for identification of miRNAs as well as the methodologies that have been developed to detection miRNAs.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partly supported by research grants from the National Basic Research 973 Program (2005CB121004); the National High Tech Development Project of China, the 863 Program (2006AA10A119); Innovation Foundation for Graduate Students of Jiangsu Province and the Natural Science Foundation of China (61001013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiang Su University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Huang, Sheng Peng Wang, Shun Ming Tang, Guo Zheng Zhang & Xing Jia Shen

  2. School of Information Science and Technology of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China

    Quan Zou

  3. The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, 212018, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Huang, Sheng Peng Wang, Shun Ming Tang, Guo Zheng Zhang & Xing Jia Shen

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  1. Yong Huang
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Correspondence to Xing Jia Shen.

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Huang, Y., Zou, Q., Wang, S.P. et al. The discovery approaches and detection methods of microRNAs. Mol Biol Rep 38, 4125–4135 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0532-1

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