| abstract |
The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for detecting micro RNAs (miRNAs). In some embodiments, the miRNAs are quantified from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples in which messenger RNA is degraded. The present teachings take advantage of the observation that most mature miRNAs in vivo are protected by degradation as a result of their association with RISC. Thus, novel methods of studying nucleic acids in archived tissues containing degraded messenger RNA are provided, wherein RISC-protected miRNAs are liberated, and analyzed. |