PCR In-Depth Focus 2013

• Challenges for qRT-PCR in detecting / quantifying microRNA in vitro and in vivo
  (Author: Martina Weber, Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiology, Emory University)
  microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs of approximately 19 – 25 nucleotides (nt). They were first discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans in 1993 and have been identified in plants and animals with over 1600 miRNA sequences found in the human genome so far. It has been shown that miRNAs play an important role in many disease processes and their role as potential biomarkers is subject of intense study. This review focuses on two qRT-PCR-based assessments of miRNA expression and discusses the advantages or weaknesses of both…
• Emerging clinical applications of digital PCR
  (Authors: Billy Lau, Stanford Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine & Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine / Hanlee Ji, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine)
  Digital PCR is an emerging technological platform that can robustly detect template molecules down to single molecule resolution. While previously confined to basic science research questions, in the past decade, digital PCR has steadily gained footing in clinical applications. In this mini-review, we briefly describe recent applications of this technology in urgent topics of human health…
• Workshop Preview: Advanced 3d cell based assays, preparation, analysis and troubleshooting
  Recently, we have seen a concomitant increase in the demand for more refined and biologically relevant cell based assay approaches. To meet these new requirements, many are turning their attention the use of 3D cell based models as it is becoming increasingly evident that these experimental approaches better reflect micro-environments that cells experience in vivo…