title: MicroRNAs - Biology and clinical applications.
abstract: MicroRNAs are a highly conserved group of small, non-coding RNA molecules, which are 19-25 nucleotides in size. Previously thought to be evolutionary debris with no evident function, these small RNAs have been found to control gene expression primarily by silencing the gene. MicroRNAs are critical to cell physiology and development. They are also implicated in pathological processes such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections and carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kannan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Vaishnavi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sivasankar
keywords: Gene silencing; MicroRNAs; non-coding RNAs