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Palo Alto, CA, United States, 11/07/2007 – Researchers and companies worldwide have realized the importance of RNA interference (RNAi) as a novel tool for analyzing gene function and identifying new drug targets and target validation. The overwhelming information in hand about the existence of miRNAs with unique functions has created intriguing possibilities for in-depth functional miRNA research. The number of laboratories working on the phenomenon to derive commercial benefits out of this promising technology has increased, which is contributing to the rapid progress in this field.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (technicalinsights.frost.com), Advances in Micro RNA Technologies, finds that the discovery of miRNA has created new opportunities of scientific inquiry, especially in the field of genetic diseases such as cancer. So far about 200 distinct miRNAs have been identified and much more expect to be noticed. The scope of miRNA research is widening with more number of scientists entering this field with an increasing recognition that miRNAs may also be implicated in other diseases as well.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the Advances in Micro RNA Technologies, then send an e-mail to Melina Trevino - Corporate Communications at melina.trevino[.]frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, email address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information via email upon receipt of the above information.
"The recent discovery of microRNAs as in-vivo agents of RNAi mechanism is fueling the development of potential applications in molecular diagnostics and therapeutics particularly for cancer," note Technical Insights Research Analyst Sangeetha Prabakar. "Here the established and proven technology of RNAi and the emerging technology of miRNA expect to be symbiotic, continues Technical Insights Research Analyst Rasika Ramachandran.
Several computational studies reveal there could be hundreds and thousands of miRNAs in the human genome and that at least one-third of the genome could be regulated by the miRNAs. Sequencing new genes such as those of miRNAs will bring in invaluable insights about the evolutionary and functional relationships of human genes.
Here, advanced microarray technologies expect to provide useful insights about the role of each miRNA in regulating gene expression and about the role of miRNA in specific disease states so as to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Once the researchers progress with their desired miRNA experimentations and generate new miRNA data, they could further rely upon bioinformatics and data mining tools to analyze the data and correlate them with existing clinical regulatory and disease networks.
"As miRNA research is relatively new with many new exciting discoveries and is in an enormous growth and discovery phase, it is in the hands of researchers and biotechnology companies to capitalize on the initial path-breaking discoveries in the field of miRNA," remarks Prabakar. "A huge market opportunity is now available for those wanting to develop high throughput and cost-effective analytical tools for miRNA research."
Currently, the most widely used method for miRNA discovery is cloning and sequencing, which is very laborious and hampers the rate at which new miRNAs are discovered. Bioinformatic miRNA discovery albeit comprehensive, nevertheless requires biological validation through the above time-consuming processes.
Thus novel high throughput technologies for the discovery of new miRNAs from a variety of sample sources are needed so as to advance the field at a greater pace.
"Many companies are stepping forward to develop novel bioinformatics tools for high throughput gene analysis studies to enable researchers find miRNA encoding genes and computationally predict their regulatory targets for relating and integrating miRNAs into the normal gene regulatory pathways and networks," explains Ramachandran. "This requires a modified view about the traditional paradigm of protein-DNA interaction-based transcriptional control so as to include miRNA-based gene regulation mechanisms."
Advances in Micro RNA Technologies, a part of the Technical Insights Subscription, provides a technology overview and industry-wide perspective on the technological trends related to miRNA discovery, detection, isolation, purification, cloning, sequencing, expression profiling, biomarker studies, and development of novel miRNA-based therapies. The study provides information on organizations, companies, universities, research institutions, and government laboratories involved in R&D. Furthermore, this research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.
Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.
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