RNAi and miRNA Agenda

Registration

Myc-regulated microRNAs in B-Lymphomagenesis
Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko, Professor, University of Pennsylvania, United States of America

Maturation and Function of Long Noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 in Human Melanomas
Ranjan Perera, Associate Professor, Scientific Director Genomics and Bioinformatics, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, United States of America

Recently, we reported that the long noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1, which is transcribed from the intronic region of the Sprouty4 gene, is upregulated in human melanomas compared to melanocytes and keratinocytes (Khaitan et al., 2011 Cancer Research). We report here that SPRY4-IT1 is part of a larger (1.8Kb) noncoding RNA variant (SPRY4-IT) and 5’ region of this transcript is removed during the nuclear RNA processing.

miRNA Regulation of Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer
Ioanna Keklikoglou, Post Doctoral Research Scientist, DKFZ, Germany

In the present study we performed a whole-Genome miRNA screen to identify novel miRNA-regulators of the NF-kB signaling in cancer. We focused on miRNA-families (miRNAs with homologous seed regions) and we further characterized their function and clinical relevance in breast cancer. 

Coffee Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

2-D DIGE and siRNA to find New Cancer Targets
Asa Hagner Mcwhirter, Senior Scientist, GE Healthcare, Sweden

Here two powerful methods, siRNA and 2-D DIGE, were combined to investigate a signaling pathway, pivotal in cancer biology. Silencing of the target protein allowed identification of differentially regulated proteins, but also to resolve time dependency of protein regulation.

Targeted Integration and Expression of shRNA using Zinc Finger Nucleases
Kerry Trice, Product Manager, Sigma Aldrich, United States of America

Viral delivery of shRNA has been a powerful tool to investigate gene function in various cellular systems.  The integration of virally delivered constructs occurs randomly within the genome, which can disrupt non-targeted genes, potentially causing undesirable phenotypes and causing epigenetic cell-to-cell variations.  Now, using targeted genome editing technology, we can deliver an shRNA expressing construct directly to a single endogenous “safe harbor” locus within the human genome.  This approach enables shRNA expression without disrupting surrounding genes, leading to an efficient knockdown of the target gene.  Here, we will discuss studies demonstrating the combination of genome-wide shRNA library coverage with targeted integration using Zinc Finger Nucleases.

Lunch Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

Protein and RNA Interactors of Human Argonaute Proteins
Gunter Meister, Professor, University of Regensburg, Germany

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that function in literally all cellular processes. miRNAs interact with Argonaute (Ago) proteins and guide them to specific target sites located in the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs leading to translational repression and deadenylation-induced mRNA degradation. Most miRNAs are processed from hairpin-structured precursors by the consecutive action of the RNase III enzymes Drosha and Dicer. However, processing of miR-451 is Dicer-independent and cleavage is mediated by the endonuclease Ago2. Here we have characterized miR-451 sequence and structure requirements for processing as well as sorting of miRNAs into different Ago proteins.

Coffee Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Argonautes, microRNA Biogenesis & RNA Interference
Sven Diederichs, Group Leader, University Of Heidelberg, Germany

Argonaute proteins had been discovered as the effector proteins of the microRNA pathway. However, I would like to shed some new light on the many roles that Argonaute proteins can play in microRNA processing, stabilization, strand selection and RNA interference.

Analysis of the Accessibility of PAR-CLIP Bound Sites Reveals that Nucleation of the miRNA:mRNA Pairing Occurs Preferentially at the 3'-end of the Seed Match
Jiri Vanicek, Assistant Professor, EFPL, Switzerland

Detailed analysis of PAR-CLIP miRNA binding sites demonstrates that miRNA target binding starts preferentially at the 3' end of the seed match. Complementary analysis of mRNA and protein levels shows that genes with accessible nucleation regions at the 3'-end are more strongly downregulated than other genes.

The MicroRNA and Exosomes Spaces: Analysis of Market Segments, Research Trends, and Potential Utility as Biomarkers.
Enal Razvi, Managing Director, Select Biosciences Inc, United States of America

Select Biosciences industry tracking of the microRNA and Exosome fields has focused on qualitative and quantitative market trends based on primary market analyses.  We have also conducted extensive analysis of all the publications in these fields which allow us to track the evolution of research trends in this interrelated spaces.  These market analyses have been recently published in the Select Biosciences MicroRNAs and Exosomes 2012 Market Report, and in this presentation I will present a snapshot of the research trends in microRNAs and exosomes and frame them into their potential utility as biomarker classes for the future.

Drinks Reception and Networking in Exhibition Hall

miRNAs in Body Fluids such as CSF - Potentials and Limitations
Ute Schaefer, Head of Department, Medical University Graz, Austria

We were able to demonstrate for the first time damage specific packing of mature miRNA species into CSF-microparticles and the uptake of miRNA by host cells underlines their predicted role for microparticles in cell-cell communication. To our knowledge there are no reports to date on the role of microparticles in the cerebral environment. 

Identifying miRNA in Biofluids to be Applied as Robust Biomarkers for Disease, Toxicology or Injury Studies – The case of Minimally Invasive Colorectal Cancer Detection
Peter Mouritzen, Vice President, Exiqon A/S, Denmark

Using LNA™ based Universal RT-PCR system, we have profiled microRNA in thousands of biofluid samples including blood plasma/serum and urine. Implementation of extensive sample and data QC procedures will support development of robust biomarkers in disease, toxicology and injury studies.

Coffee Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

A High Content Imaging Approach to Investigate the Role of microRNA in Regenerative Medicine
Steffen Schubert, Senior Group Leader, Cenix Bioscience, Germany

A phenotypic imaging approach using automated microscopy was employed to investigate miRNA control in 3 cell lineages; osteogenesis, adipogenesis and skeletal myogenesis.  Novel miRNAs identified and their endogenous mRNA targets may represent potential therapeutic opportunities in regenerative medicine.

Therapeutic Targeting of Neuroendocrine Tumours Utilising microRNAs
Stan Sidhu, Professor, University of Sydney, Australia

This talk will focus on published and novel work regarding miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers in neuroendocrine cancers, their role in the induction of autophagy as a therapeutic modality and describe preliminary work utilising nanoparticle mediated therapeutic delivery of miRNAs .

Lunch Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

Discovery of Cancer Drug Targets using RNAi Screening with Pooled Lentiviral shRNA Libraries
Alex Chenchik, President/CSO, Cellecta Inc, United States of America

Cellecta offers a novel, free public resource for genome-wide RNAi screens – DECIPHER pooled lentiviral shRNA libraries (www.decipherproject.net). Using a combination of in vitro and ex vivo RNAi screening strategies, we have identified and validated hundreds of key viability genes in oncogenic cells. 

Coffee Break and Networking in Exhibition Hall

UNA (Unlocked Nucleic Acid) as a Key Modification for RNAi Applications
Jesper Wengel, Professor/Director, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

UNA (unlocked nucleic acid) and LNA (locked nucleic acid) are two RNA analogs which display very different RNA-binding properties. It will be reviewed how UNA and LNA modifications can be used to target RNA segments with one focus being on how strategic incorporations of UNA monomers in siRNA constructs enable a combination of potent gene silencing and reduced off-target effects. 

Functional microRNA Profiling for Improved iPSC Reprogramming
Jan Fiedler, Senior Post Doctoral Researcher, Medical School Hannover, Germany

The role of miR overexpression during cell reprogramming was validated by miR screening. Specific miRs were identified that enhanced iPSC generation and are further candidates for extensive characterization.

Close of Conference