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MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

High Throughput MicroRNA Profiling: Optimized Multiplex qRT-PCR at Nanoliter Scale on the Fluidigm Dynamic ArrayTM IFCs

High Throughput MicroRNA Profiling: Optimized Multiplex qRT-PCR at Nanoliter Scale on the Fluidigm Dynamic ArrayTM IFCs

Published on: August 3, 2011

Optimizing protocols for microRNA profiling of infant and toddler stool.

David A Armstrong^1,2, Shannon M Soucy^3,4,5, Meghan E Muse⁶

¹Department of Dermatology, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, USA.

|February 20, 2026

Summary

This study compared RNA preservation and extraction methods for infant stool, finding Zymo BIOMICs kit with RNAlater or Zymo DNA/RNA Shield tubes yields high-quality RNA and similar microRNA profiles. These methods are suitable for infant microRNA profiling.

Keywords:

MicroRNA RNA extraction RNA preservation RNA quality infant stool toddler

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Pediatric Research

Background:

MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling in infant and toddler stool is gaining interest.
No prior studies have compared protocols for preserving and extracting miRNAs from this specific sample type.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the efficacy of different commercial kits and preservation methods for RNA extraction from infant/toddler stool.
To determine the optimal protocol for high-quality RNA and reliable miRNA profiling in young children.

Main Methods:

Evaluated three commercial RNA extraction kits and four preservation methods using stool from children under two years old.
Assessed RNA quality using RNA Quality Number (RQN).
Performed miRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) to compare miRNA profiles from the best-performing preservation methods.

Main Results:

The Zymo BIOMICs kit yielded the highest RNA Quality Number (RQN).
RNAlater and Zymo DNA/RNA Shield Faecal Collection Tubes provided the highest RQNs and did not significantly differ.
miRNA sequencing revealed no significant differences in human miRNA profiles between RNAlater and Zymo Shield preservation methods.

Conclusions:

Collecting infant/toddler stool in RNAlater or Zymo DNA/RNA Shield tubes, combined with the Zymo BIOMICs extraction kit, produces high-quality RNA.
These methods result in comparable human miRNA profiles, making them suitable for infant miRNA studies.