Application of massively parallel sequencing to microRNA profiling and discovery in human embryonic stem cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important, albeit poorly characterized, regulators of biological processes. Key to further elucidation of their roles is the generation of more complete lists of their numbers and expression changes in different cell states. Here, we report a new method for surveying the expression of small RNAs, including microRNAs, using Illumina sequencing technology. We also present a set of methods for annotating sequences deriving from known miRNAs, identifying variability in mature miRNA sequences, and identifying sequences belonging to previously unidentified miRNA genes. Application of this approach to RNA from human embryonic stem cells obtained before and after their…

• CM
  Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre
• SC
  Stem Cell Network
• MS
  Michael Smith Health Research BC
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• BC
  BC Cancer Foundation
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research