According to analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the global miRNA tools and services market will double by 2017. This increase will happen despite the way that sequestration is limiting expansion in the U.S. market.
While much remains to be discovered, researchers have associated miRNA with early stage development, cell differentiation, cell death and cancer. They also have some relationship to regulating viral infections. In fact, researchers have created a miRNA drug that effectively combats hepatitis C, as shown in the following video.
miRNA, which stands for microRNAs, are a class of RNA, or ribonucleic acids. These tiny molecules regulate the translation, or stability, of target messenger RNA molecules. miRNAs are unique to eukaryotic cells, or cells with membrane-enclosed nuclei. Since they regulate the way that the body translates messenger RNA, they regulate how our genes express our physical characteristics.
A simplistic explanation for how the body creates messenger RNA is that two strands of DNA within the cell nucleus separate. RNA polymerase codes a new messenger RNA strand, using the DNA strand as a template. The messenger RNA travels to the cell ribosome, where it is translated into a sequenced chain of amino acids.
The polypeptide created by the amino acid chain undergoes more changes before becoming a full-fledged protein. The protein leaves the ribosome and ends up either in the cell's cytoplasm or on the cell membrane, creating the microscopic building blocks of the human body. Throughout this process, miRNA protects target messenger RNA from destruction and keeps them from coding their own proteins.
miRNA has the potential to unlock the medical community's understanding of many genetic disorders including Fragile X syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy and chronic lymphoid leukemia.
Many biologists believe that non-coding RNA molecules like miRNA are responsible for the complexity of higher animals. In time, it may also help scientists to understand how the other 98 percent of the human genome, the part that doesn't code proteins, actually works.
Senior research analyst Divyaa Ravishankar says that reducing time-to-market for microRNA applications is the main driver for growth.
"As miRNA research evolves globally and more efficient products are required, the space is burgeoning with technology innovations," Ravishankar explained. "Strategic alliances for product development are taking place, resulting in novel kits for qPCR and new mimics and inhibitors that help researchers shorten their project timeline and get more funding."
Edited by
Alisen Downey
