PGP:miRNA

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Purpose
miRNA is an essential element present in the genome for regulating the level of gene expression during human growth and development. Variations in miRNA targeting sequences as well as within miRNA sequences have been reported. The regulatory variations in miRNA expression is however not well studied. Similar to cis-regulatory variants for gene expression, cis-regulatory variants for miRNA expression may be more common than those affecting the miRNA sequence itself.

While allele-specific miRNA analysis is not possible due to its small size, it may be possible to see the effect of some common regulatory polymorphisms on the level of miRNA expression. PGP will characterize miRNA expression libraries from various PGP iPS-derived tissue samples using a novel capturing method and sequencing technologies and measure the effect of miRNA polymorphims on the inherited variations in gene expression.

Collaborators

 * George Church Laboratory (HMS, Boston)