MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are recently found to be negative regulators of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. Common characteristics of microRNAs include: short length (17-25nt), precursors consist of predictable stem and loop structure, highly conserved, high copy number, expression is tissue (and developmental stage) specific. Their mechanism of action is far reaching and complex; each miRNA may control many genes and it is estimated that miRNAs regulate expression of up to 1/3 of all human genes. MicroRNAs operate by one of two hypothesized mechanisms: complete pairing – mRNA is degraded – predominant in plants and imperfect pairing – translation is repressed but mRNA remains intact – predominant in animals. MicroRNAs show distinct expression patterns in different organisms, cell development stages, and disease models and play an important role in regulating gene expression1-3.
microRNA Analysis Services
LC Sciences now offers a complete suite of analytical services to advance your microRNA research. These comprehensive services are designed to be one-stop and get you the results you need quickly to keep your research moving along. Our services now includes microRNA Sequencing for discovery and digital expression profiling applications. Next, our microRNA expression profiling microarrays can provide differential expression profiles and are customizable to perform validation/confirmation of newly discovered microRNAs. Last, qRT-PCR is the gold standard for quantitation of microRNA expression and microarray validation.
- microRNA Discovery Sequencing Service
- microRNA Expression Profiling Microarray Service
- microRNA Expression Analysis qRT-PCR Service
- New! Seq-ArraySM Service
New Services – Seq-ArraySM offers a customized solution to high-throughput genome-wide microRNA discovery and profiling, especially in species with limited or no microRNA sequence information available. This unique combination of the latest deep sequencing technology, advanced bioinformatics, and our innovative µParaflo® custom microarray platform leverages all these technologies to form a comprehensive service package tailored to your specific research needs. (read more…)
microRNA Discovery Sequencing Service
microRNA sequencing is a new method and a powerful tool to identify and quantitatively decode the entire population of microRNAs in your sample. LC Sciences now provides a microRNA discovery service using the Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology which enables comprehensive coverage, highly sensitive and specific discovery and profiling of all forms of microRNAs in your sample. Profile microRNA in any species – there is no need for probes based on prior sequence or secondary structure information. Profiling is transcriptome-wide – you can investigate all microRNAs, of any size, known and unknown, in your sample. Achieve digital transcript expression analysis – accurate quantitation of expression levels over 5 orders of magnitude of transcript abundance. Detect rare transcripts and transcript variants, such as single nucleotide mutations (SNP).
microRNA Expression Profiling Microarray Service
LC Sciences provides a genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling service using µParaflo® technology and proprietary probe design, which enable highly sensitive and specific direct detection of miRNAs. We have standard arrays for mature miRNA of all species available in the latest version of the miRBase database (Release 17). Our service is comprehensive and includes sample preparation of your total RNA sample, single or dual color labeling, hybridization, image data processing and in-depth data analysis. Two-three weeks after receiving your total RNA samples, we send you the analyzed data, representative and original images of the array, and raw data. We offer additional products and services including arrays containing miRNA*, walk/tiling arrays, custom arrays (first 100 probes free of charge), and in-depth analysis for multiple data sets. The in-depth data analysis may include multi-array normalization, t-test, ANOVA, False Discovery Rate calculator, and/or clustering analysis.
microRNA Expression Analysis qRT-PCR Services
LC Sciences now provides a one-stop solution for all your microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling needs. We can provide you with microarray, sequencing and qRT-PCR profiling services for the most complete picture of microRNA expression in your samples. While microarrays provide efficient genome-wide screening of miRNA expression, qRT-PCR is the gold standard for validation of microarray expression data and provides quantitative analysis of microRNA expression in real time which can help you to zero in on the miRs of interest in your samples revealed by microarrays. In addition, the specificity of real time PCR expression data can provide further understanding of the true biological significance of these miRs. Our service is comprehensive and includes sample preparation of your total RNA sample, TaqMan® microRNA assay (in triplicate), and fully analyzed quantitative data. TaqMan® microRNA Assays quantitate microRNAs with the specificity and sensitivity of TaqMan® assay chemistry. The assays target only mature microRNAs, not their precursors, ensuring biologically relevant results. Every TaqMan® microRNA Assay has been functionally validated under laboratory conditions to ensure accurate results.
References:
- Bartel, D. P. MicroRNAs: genomics, biogenesis, mechanism, and function. Cell 116, 281–-297 (2004).
- Ambros, V. The functions of animal microRNAs. Nature 431, 350–-355 (2004).
- He, L. & Hannon, G. J. MicroRNAs: small RNAs with a big role in gene regulation. Nature Rev. Genet. 5, 522–-531 (2004).
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