1. How to measure microRNAs (miRNAs)?

Due to the small size of mature miRNAs (~ 22 nucleotides in length), the detection and quantification of miRNAs presents some special challenges. There are many different ways to evaluate miRNA expression. The two most common methods are microarray profiling and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Microarray profiling is often used as a screening tool while qRT-PCR is usually used as the method for quantification.

2. How to quantify miRNAs using RT-qPCR?

There are two common strategies, one is the stem–loop RT primer method and the other is poly (A) tailing method. The stem-loop method is more specific and economical than the tailing method, but it can only detect one specific miRNA at a time while the tailing method can achieve high-throughput detection.

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