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Signal differentiation models for multiple microRNA detection: a critical review

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded non-coding RNAs which have critical functions in various biological processes. Increasing evidence suggested that abnormal miRNA expression was closely related to many human diseases, and they are projected to be very promising biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis. Multiplex detection of aberrant miRNAs has great advantages including improved detection efficiency and enhanced diagnostic precision. Traditional miRNA detection methods do not meet the requirements of high sensitivity or multiplexing. Some new techniques have opened novel paths to solve analytical challenges of multiple miRNA detection. Herein, we give a critical overview of the current multiplex strategies for the simultaneous detection of miRNAs from the perspective of two different signal differentiation models, including label differentiation and space differentiation. Meanwhile, recent advances of signal amplification strategies integrated into multiplex miRNA methods are also discussed. We hope this review provides the reader with future perspectives on multiplex miRNA strategies in biochemical research and clinical diagnostics.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge funding from the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (LQ23H300003), National Natural Science Foundation of China (81903576), Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Nano-Biosensing Technology (ZDSYS20210112161400001), and Shenzhen Stability Support Plan (20200806163622001), Shenzhen Overseas Talent Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, People’s Republic of China

    Yue Sun & Luo Fang

  2. School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, People’s Republic of China

    Yinan Wang & Tailin Xu

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  1. Yue Sun
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  2. Yinan Wang
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Correspondence to Tailin Xu.

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Published in the topical collection Young Investigators in (Bio-)Analytical Chemistry 2023 with guest editors Zhi-Yuan Gu, Beatriz Jurado-Sánchez, Thomas H. Linz, Leandro Wang Hantao, Nongnoot Wongkaew, and Peng Wu.

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Sun, Y., Wang, Y., Fang, L. et al. Signal differentiation models for multiple microRNA detection: a critical review. Anal Bioanal Chem 415, 3967–3981 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04626-6

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