On this interview, trade professional Dr. Lohit Khera discusses the evolving position of microRNA in analysis, diagnostics, and precision medication. He additionally highlights the most recent RNA extraction and evaluation improvements and the way these superior applied sciences deal with key challenges in small RNA analysis.
What initially sparked the scientific curiosity in microRNA, and the way has that focus developed over the previous decade?
The invention that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally was a paradigm shift, and their position in developmental biology and most cancers caught researchers’ consideration globally.
During the last decade, the sphere has exploded with biomarker discovery from liquid biopsy samples, diagnostics, and even therapeutics, the place researchers are designing miRNA mimics and inhibitors. It’s turning into a translational science, with robust trade and medical ties.
What makes microRNA such a strong goal in present organic and biomedical analysis?
MicroRNAs have a uncommon leverage as a result of they act like molecular switches that fine-tune whole gene networks; they could or won’t be particular to single genes. They’re additionally steady in biofluids, making them best candidates for non-invasive diagnostics from liquid biopsy samples. Their tissue- and disease-specific expression patterns present specificity, and optimized miRNA extraction kits convey ease of use and sensitivity, which is exactly what researchers need of their biomarker or therapeutic targets.
Why is the power to isolate all sizes of RNA—particularly microRNA—so very important for researchers at present?
Small RNAs are notoriously tough to seize with conventional kits that favor longer transcripts, however their practical significance is large. Many labs may miss out on important knowledge as a result of their extraction strategies should not optimized for “actual” complete RNA restoration. Whether or not for focused microRNA expression profiling or performing sequencing, you want high-quality microRNA in applicable concentrations. This ensures reproducibility and accuracy, particularly when working with low-input like biofluids or degraded samples like FFPE tissue.
What are the largest challenges researchers face when working with small RNA, and the way are these being addressed by rising applied sciences?
Low abundance and contaminating background noise are persistent hurdles. Small RNAs are sometimes misplaced throughout extraction on account of low abundance and the widespread extraction applied sciences affected by inherent bias towards giant nucleic acids. Though higher binding chemistries and ultra-low enter kits promise higher extraction, they should rely upon both utilizing giant provider RNA or robust chemical compounds that may finally make their approach into the ultimate eluted RNA and intrude with downstream purposes. Silicon carbide is a revolutionary resin that may seize small RNA with out the necessity for provider RNA or undesirable chemical compounds.
Background noise is one other prevalent problem that’s extra regarding for NGS-based downstream purposes. This background noise makes use of up essential reagents throughout small RNA sequencing and impacts the genome-mapped reads and miRNA mapping. Norgen has not too long ago launched the EXTRAClean equipment, which eliminates this problem, considerably enhancing the output from small RNA sequencing.
Are you able to share the story behind Norgen Biotek Corp.’s founding and the issue it initially got down to resolve in RNA analysis?
Norgen Biotek was based by Dr. Yosef Haj-Ahmad, a scientist with a mission to develop and manufacture revolutionary nucleic acid (NA) purification kits, particularly from advanced samples like serum or FFPE tissue. The core problem was yield and integrity for small NAs like exosomal RNA and cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We wished to develop a platform that delivered constant, high-quality small RNAs throughout all fragment sizes right down to 20-25-nucleotide-long miRNAs. Our silicon carbide-based know-how was born out of that want. It’s now utilized by researchers who can’t afford to lose sign on account of partial restoration.
Picture Credit score: Norgen Biotek Corp.
Norgen has developed its distinctive silicon carbide-based know-how for RNA isolation. How does this strategy examine to extra conventional silica-based strategies?
Silicon carbide has a broader binding profile than silica, notably for low molecular weight nucleic acids. This implies we are able to retain lengthy and small RNAs and RNA with high and low GC content material with excessive effectivity. Conventional silica columns are likely to favor longer and high-GC-content transcripts and should underrepresent microRNAs or fragmented RNAs. Our strategy affords higher consistency, notably for advanced or low-input samples.
Picture Credit score: Norgen Biotek Corp.
What are a few of the most promising purposes of microRNA in fields like oncology, agriculture, or diagnostics?
In oncology, circulating microRNAs are remodeling how we detect and monitor cancers. They provide real-time snapshots of tumor burden and therapy response.
In agriculture, plant microRNAs are being explored to enhance crop resilience and illness resistance. Diagnostic purposes like salivary microRNAs for oral cancers or urinary microRNAs for kidney illness are additionally booming.
How is microRNA used to drive innovation in non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostics?
MicroRNAs are perfect for liquid biopsies—they are often remoted from plasma (blood), urine, and saliva, and their expression patterns change with illness state. This makes them good for early detection and monitoring without having tissue biopsies. We’re seeing diagnostic panels emerge for cancers, cardiovascular situations, and even neurodegenerative illnesses. Some corporations are even combining microRNA profiles with machine studying to boost predictive energy. It’s a leap towards accessible, non-invasive diagnostics that can be utilized in routine screening.
As demand grows for precision medication, how do you see RNA—particularly small RNA—shaping the way forward for personalised therapy?
Small RNAs have gotten the molecular fingerprints of illness. Their means to mirror dynamic physiological states makes them extremely helpful for tailoring therapies. For instance, microRNA signatures will help stratify sufferers and predict therapeutic response in most cancers. As we combine multi-omics into precision medication, microRNA profiling affords a complementary layer that bridges gene expression with medical phenotype. I feel within the close to future, we’ll see increasingly more inclusion of microRNA-informed therapeutic choices.
The final two Nobel Prizes in physiology have spotlighted RNA-based discoveries—what does that say about the way forward for this subject?
It underscores RNA’s central position in biology and medication. From figuring out miRNA a few years in the past to the latest affect of modified mRNA for the COVID-19 vaccine, the Nobel wins mirror a long time of foundational work lastly bearing fruit. This validation helps to extend funding, innovation, and public curiosity. RNA is not only a messenger, it’s a software, a therapeutic, and a diagnostic molecule. The way forward for biomedicine may have RNA on the centre.
How do you envision the position of automation and AI in the way forward for RNA extraction and evaluation?
Automation is essential to consistency, particularly as labs scale up testing or function in regulated environments. We’re seeing extra demand for pre-filled, automation-ready kits and scalable protocols for various volumes of liquid biopsy samples. In the meantime, AI is remodeling knowledge interpretation from microRNA-based diagnostics, the place expression patterns could be refined. Machine studying algorithms can detect clinically related patterns involving many various miRNAs which might be simple to overlook with conventional strategies. Collectively, automation and AI speed up discovery whereas minimizing human error, making RNA workflows extra environment friendly and reproducible.
About Dr. Lohit khera 
Dr. Khera is the Head of Scientific Gross sales at Norgen Biotek. With greater than 10 years of expertise in most cancers analysis and molecular biology from prestigious establishments just like the Weizmann Institute of Science and LSU Well being Science Heart, Dr. Khera is devoted to advancing international most cancers analysis and diagnostics by cutting-edge applied sciences.
