microRNA

MicroRNAs may act as biomarkers for pancreatic cancer detection

harminka — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:11:18 -0500

A blood test for small molecules abnormally expressed in pancreatic cancer may be a promising route to early detection of the disease, researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in the September edition of the journal Cancer Prevention Research.

HIV Life Cycle Controled Through MicroRNAs

harminka — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:40:56 -0500

Scientists at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have discovered that specific microRNAs (non-coding RNAs that interfere with gene expression) reduce HIV replication and infectivity in human T-cells. In particular, miR29 plays a key role in controlling the HIV life cycle.

MicroRNAs make for safer cancer treatments

harminka — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:08:23 -0500

Viruses -- long regarded solely as disease agents -- now are being used in therapies for cancer. Concerns over the safety of these so-called oncolytic viruses stem from their potential to damage healthy tissues.

Short RNAs show long history

harminka — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:25:56 -0500

MicroRNAs, the tiny molecules that fine-tune gene expression, were first discovered in 1993. But it turns out they've been around for a billion years.

Scientists identify novel inhibitor of human microRNA

harminka — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:38:11 -0500

Scientists at The Wistar Institute and their colleagues have identified, for the first time, a molecule that can regulate microRNAs – short strands of RNA that play a vital role in gene expression and are closely associated with cancer. The discovery points the way to the development of a new generation of cancer drugs.

New route for combating viruses

harminka — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:38:52 -0500

A unique technique for analyzing the function of microRNAs developed by a Hebrew University of Jerusalem doctoral student has led to the discovery of a new mechanism by which viruses evade the human immune system. This discovery has important implications for human intervention in the battle between viruses and humans.

Yale scientists show that a microRNA can reduce lung cancer growth

harminka — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:37:09 -0500

A small RNA molecule, known as let-7 microRNA (miRNA), substantially reduced cancer growth in multiple mouse models of lung cancer, according to work by researchers at Yale University and Asuragen, Inc., published in the journal Cell Cycle.

2 microRNAs promote spread of tumor cells

harminka — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:37:53 -0600

The more scientists learn about microRNAs – short strands of RNA that can interfere with normal gene activity – the more obvious it becomes how closely they are associated with cancer. In a new study, scientists at The Wistar Institute and their colleagues have identified two microRNAs (miRNAs) that promote tumors’ deadly spread, or metastasis.

MIT reports new twist in microRNA biology

harminka — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:35:19 -0600

MIT scientists have found a new way that DNA can carry out its work that is about as surprising as discovering that a mold used to cast a metal tool can also serve as a tool itself, with two complementary shapes each showing distinct functional roles.

Massive microRNA scan uncovers leads to treating muscle degeneration

harminka — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:31:22 -0500

Researchers have discovered the first microRNAs – tiny bits of code that regulate gene activity – linked to each of 10 major degenerative muscular disorders, opening doors to new treatments and a better biological understanding of these debilitating, poorly understood, often untreatable diseases.

MicroRNAs may be key to HIV's ability to hide, evade drugs

harminka — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:14:20 -0500

Tiny pieces of genetic material called microRNA (miRNA), better known for its roles in cancer, could be a key to unlocking the secrets of how HIV, the AIDS virus, evades detection, hiding in the immune system.

MicroRNA convicted of triggering metastasis

harminka — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:31:40 -0500

The jury is in: microRNAs can cause tumors to metastasize. These tiny molecules fine-tune protein production and play a powerful role in biological processes ranging from development to aging. Now scientists have proved that they can prompt otherwise sedentary cancer cells to move and invade other tissues.