Biosensing of miRNA and detection of its drug-interactions
Research Project, 2015 – 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded RNAs that have fundamental roles in almost every aspect of biology. These endogenous miRNAs regulate gene expression in a sequence specific fashion by binding the 3’ untranslated region of target messenger RNA (mRNA) resulting in down- or up-regulation of the target genes. Increasing evidence also suggests that miRNAs contribute to a spectrum of human diseases, cancer as well as inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, implying that modulation of miRNA expression may serve as a novel therapeutic modality for such diseases. In this project we will investigate and develop two invaluable detection methods for miRNAs: 1) A biosensor system to specifically detect specific miRNAs using complementary DNA modified with fluorescent base analogues (FBAs); 2) An in vitro assay suitable for monitoring small molecule binders, (candidate) drugs, to precursor miRNA modified with fluorescent RNA base analogues. With their internal position in DNA and RNA base-stacks, FBAs comprise an attractive alternative to external probes, which may alter interactions between the target miRNA and the complementary nucleic acid or the (candidate) drug. Here we will use our vast experience in FBAs and in the use of fluorescence techniques to provide pharmaceutical industry, hospital laboratories and academia with unprecedented miRNA-methods.

Participants

Marcus Wilhelmsson (contact)

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Funding

Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)

Project ID: IS14-0041
Funding Chalmers participation during 2015–2020

Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure

Sustainable development

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More information

Project Web Page at Chalmers

https://www.chalmers.se/sv/projekt/Sidor/B...

Latest update

2018-02-05