ABSTRACT
Surgery, School of Medicine, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. aEmail: ailbhemcdermott@gmail.com bEmail: helenheneghan@hotmail.com cEmail: nicola.miller@nuigalway.ie dEmail: michael.kerin@nuigalway.ie *Corresponding author
Mi(cro)RNAs are a class of small, non-coding RNA fragments that play important roles in most biological processes by regulating gene expression. They were fi rst discovered almost 20 years ago, and have since become the focus of much scientifi c and translational research. MiRNAs are known to play functional roles in both the normal and pathological state. Aberrant miRNA expression has been described in several pathological processes, including carcinogenesis (Calin and Croce 2006). Indeed, investigation into their altered expression in cancer unveiled their dual roles, as oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. MiRNAs have been identifi ed as potential novel therapeutic targets, or agents, to employ in cancer treatment strategies.
