The Nuts & Bolts Series: MicroRNAs

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Providing a comprehensive overview of a fast-emerging field, this volume dedicated to the biological role of microRNAs (miRNAs) discusses methods for identifying and characterizing their functions and looks at potential applications of microRNA research in medicine and pharmacology. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that appear to regulate gene expression. Found in plant and animal species and possibly traceable back to ancient forms of life, miRNAs are now estimated to regulate a third or more of genes in the human genome. The Editors have included material from some of the very best, most active and upcoming researchers in the field, to provide the reader with a rounded overview of the biology, function and expression of miRNAs. The chapters are grouped according to the following Ø Basic miRNA Biology, Ø General Characteristics of miRNAs, Ø Species Interest and Function, Ø miRNA Detection Technologies and finally, Ø Bionformatics Approaches to Identification of miRNAs and miRNA targets. This book is a valuable tool for students, university instructors, undergraduate and graduate biology students, and experienced researchers.