Association for Biology Laboratory Education

miR Seekers: Finding Targets of MicroRNAs in Undergraduate Lab Courses
 

Pavan Kadandale, Adam Idica, Jordan Thompson, & Irene Munk Pedersen

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression programs critical for normal development and health. Misregulation of miRs are associated with numerous diseases, and miRs are currently being investigated both as drug targets, and as potential therapeutics. The techniques used to validate miR target predictions are relatively straightforward and inexpensive, making this an ideal vehicle to introduce students in undergraduate labs to authentic research experiences. We describe here a 3-session lab module that we have developed that allows students to generate hypotheses about specific miR candidates, and then design and execute experiments to test their predictions.

Keywords:  molecular biology, microRNA, miRNA, research-based laboratories

Boston University (2015)