miRNA
Dissect novel pathways of gene regulation. Confidently identify changes in miRNA expression. Evolve with a changing miRNA research landscape.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small single-stranded non-coding
RNAs (19-30 nucleotides long) that serve widespread functions in
post-transcriptional gene silencing. Recently, research has demonstrated
that miRNAs are crucial regulators of gene expression, affecting a wide
variety of cellular functions including development, proliferation,
differentiation, and apoptosis. Begin your sample analysis with accurate
quantification and monitoring of miRNA fractions from either total RNA or
enriched small RNA fractions, using the
Small RNA Kit for the 2100
bioanalyzer. Follow sample preparation by addressing your novel research
questions related to miRNA expression, using Agilent's MicroRNA Profiling
System, an 8 x 15K miRNA-specific microarray. This novel microarray features:
- Low Sample Input – Agilent’s innovative probe design and direct labeling protocol require just 100ng of total RNA for reliable results.
- Broad Dynamic Range – Agilent’s miRNA profiling system spans greater than 5 logs for comprehensive miRNA expression profiling.
- Precise miRNA Discrimination – Agilent’s in situ synthesis process delivers probes capable of accurate single-nucleotide discrimination between similar size and sequence miRNAs.
Learn more about miRNA technology and access a full library of related publications.
Visit Agilent's miRNA Research Education Center
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Download Scientific Presentations
miRNA Expression Profiles Predict Metastatic Risk in Uveal Melanoma
A review of
miRNAs associated with metastasis in uveal melanoma identified by multiplexed microarray profiling
To better understand the relationship between melanoma metastasis and microRNAs (miRNAs), the small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, researchers at Washington University analyzed the miRNA profiles of primary uveal (eye) melanomas. They studied a tumor set that was the focus of their earlier work which identified gene expression signatures associated with the two prognostically significant subtypes of uveal melanoma: class 1 (low metastatic risk) and class 2 (high metastatic risk). The miRNA expression profiles were obtained using Agilent Human miRNA microarrays (version 1.0) and features were extracted using Agilent FE software. Unsupervised analysis using principle component analysis (PCA) of the miRNA microarray data separated the tumors into two groups that correspond to the same subtypes identified by gene expression profiling (Figure 1). Only the first two components of the PCA plot were required to classify the tumors as class 1 or class 2. A comparison of the miRNA expression levels between class 1 and class 2 tumors revealed that 68 miRNAs were upregulated in class 1 tumors and six miRNAs were upregulated in class 2 tumors (Figure 2). Supervised analysis identified six differentially expressed miRNAs that strongly discriminate tumor class— the same six miRNAs identified by PCA.
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