New Assay Enables Creation of Customized miRNA Panels

miRNAs are becoming increasingly important in screening, diagnosis, and therapy. A new assay has been developed that allows scientists to create customized microRNA panels. This enables more focused analysis of small subsets of microRNAs, which is essential to understanding more about the role microRNAs play in disease.

Until now, miRNA expression studies have been conducted on a global scale, resulting in unnecessary data overload. Extensive expression studies have repeatedly shown that miRNA expression is specific to various experimental systems including tissues and cellular pathways. Application-specific subsets of miRNAs, which usually consist of fewer than 50 miRNAs, can be used to analyze larger numbers of samples to further investigate or validate potential miRNA markers.

The miRNA platform is designed for both broad panel screens and smaller target validations. FleximiR Select is the latest in Luminex's (Austin, TX, USA) FlexmiR line of products. FlexmiR Select allows scientists to configure customized miRNA panels for their specific needs and provides the flexibility to mix and match up to 50 different miRNA probes in a single well.

Unlike conventional miRNA test methods, FlexmiR miRNA assays do not require enrichment or amplification; therefore they are simpler, faster and more reproducible than competing technologies.

"FlexmiR has enabled our lab to generate high quality data for our craniofacial bone development studies in less time compared to other technologies we have used,” said Dr. Winston Patrick Kuo, director of laboratory for innovative translational technologies at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (Boston, MA, USA). "A better understanding of both normal and abnormal intramembranous bone development will be paramount to the advancement of future diagnoses, treatments, and prevention of many craniofacial disorders.”


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