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Updated: May 31, 2026

Performing Custom MicroRNA Microarray Experiments
Published on: October 28, 2011
The functions of animal microRNAs
1Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Genetics, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA (e-mail: vra@dartmouth.edu)
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate the expression of complementary messenger RNAs. Hundreds of miRNA genes have been found in diverse animals, and many of these are phylogenetically conserved. With miRNA roles identified in developmental timing, cell death, cell proliferation, haematopoiesis and patterning of the nervous system, evidence is mounting that animal miRNAs are more numerous, and their regulatory impact more pervasive, than was previously suspected.
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