Whitehead Institute

microRNA Discovery & Profiling

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• published: 28 Jan 2015
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microRNA Discovery & Analysis MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are negative regulators of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. Some common characteristics of microRNAs include: short length (17-25nt), predictable stem and loop structure of precursors, highly conserved nature, existence in high copy numbers, and their expression is tissue (and developmental stage) specific. Additionally, their mechanism of action is far reaching and complex. Each individual microRNA may control many genes and it is estimated that microRNAs regulate the expression of up to 1/3 of all human genes. The study of microRNA is growing rapidly as researchers discover new microRNAs and uncover the importance of these small regulatory elements linked to a wide range of biological functions. Contributing to the rapid rate of new discoveries is the development of several new advanced technologies such as high-throughput sequencing and custom microfluidic arrays. The increasing availability of these technologies makes the discovery of new sequences in lesser understood organisms now routinely possible. The miRBase sequence database is the primary public repository for newly discovered microRNAs and the number of miRBase entries has grown rapidly to almost 30,000 in the latest version. LC Sciences offers a complete suite of microRNA analysis services giving you access to these latest technologies that are enabling discoveries in this exciting field of biology. Our services include: microRNA sequencing for discovery and digital expression profiling applications, microRNA detection microarrays for differential expression profiling and confirmation of the newly discovered microRNAs, and degradome sequencing for microRNA target identification in plants and some animal species. microRNA Sequencing Service http://www.lcsciences.com/applications/transcriptomics/mirna-profiling/mirna-sequencing/ LC Sciences provides a comprehensive sequencing service utilizing Illumina’s high-throughput sequencing technology which enables comprehensive, highly sensitive and specific discovery and profiling of all forms of small RNAs in your sample. The sequencing strategy provides a comprehensive view of the transcriptome because it is not dependent on any prior sequence knowledge. Expression profiling is possible for any species, even those with little known genome information and sequencing is the method of choice for discovery of novel microRNAs. Because each individual transcript in your sample is sequenced, the technology is well suited to detecting low abundance transcripts and differentiating biologically critical isoforms. Unlike microarrays, which measure probe intensities, sequencing quantifies discreet, digital read counts aligned to a particular sequence. Therefore digital transcript expression analysis is achievable. microRNA Profiling Microarray Service http://www.lcsciences.com/applications/transcriptomics/mirna-profiling/mirna/ For routine expression profiling, microarrays are a robust, reliable method proven over decades of use. For expression profiling of known microRNAs, LC Sciences comprehensive microarray service provides a high-throughput, fast, and cost-effective solution. Our microarrays are built on the innovative µParaflo® microfluidic technology platform. Optimized RNA hybridization probes ensure uniform hybridization with enhanced specificity and sensitivity. Flexible on-chip synthesis means we have standard microarrays available for every organism containing the latest probe content from the miRBase sequence database. We routinely synthesize custom arrays for profiling non-model species, validation of computational predictions, and sequencing data follow-up. Degradome Sequencing Service http://www.lcsciences.com/applications/transcriptomics/degradome-sequencing/ Degradome sequencing provides a comprehensive means of analyzing patterns of RNA degradation. Sequencing of the 5’ ends of degraded RNA products allows identification of over-represented 5’ ends. Because microRNAs can cause endonucleolytic cleavage of mRNA by extensive and often perfect complementarity to mRNAs, matching cleavage sites to known microRNA sequences links microRNAs to their targets. LC Sciences degradome sequencing service has confirmed many known and revealed novel plant microRNA targets.