title: Approaches to microRNA discovery.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression. Several hundred genes encoding miRNAs have been experimentally identified in animals, and many more are predicted by computational methods. How can new miRNAs be discovered and distinguished from other types of small RNA? Here we summarize current methods for identifying and validating miRNAs and discuss criteria used to define an miRNA.
authors.affiliation: Hubrecht Laboratory, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berezikov
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cuppen
authors.forename: Ronald H A
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Plasterk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D035683:MicroRNAs