Avenues Toward microRNA Detection In Vitro: A Review of Technical Advances and Challenges

Abstract

Over the decades, the biological role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression has been discovered in many cancer types, thus initiating the tremendous expectation of their application as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. Hence, the development of efficient miRNA detection methods in vitro is in high demand. Extensive efforts have been made based on the intrinsic properties of miRNAs, such as low expression levels, high sequence homology, and short length, to develop novel in vitro miRNA detection methods with high accuracy, low cost, practicality, and multiplexity at point-of-care settings. In this review, we mainly summarized the newly developed in vitro miRNA detection methods classified by three key elements, including biological recognition elements, additional micro-/nano-materials and signal transduction/readout elements, their current challenges and further applications are also discussed.

Ultrasensitive Fluorescent miRNA Biosensor Based on a “Sandwich” Oligonucleotide Hybridization and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Process Using an Ln(III)-MOF and Ag Nanoparticles for Early Cancer Diagnosis: Application of Central Composite Design

“…However, these methods are time-consuming or expensive processes . So far, several strategies and platforms have been employed to design a biosensor for miRNA detection based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical technique, − fluorescence spectroscopy, , surface plasmon resonance, , and so on. Among these, fluorescence-based methods have been considered as promising ways because of their natural high sensitivity, rapidity, and simplicity. , Therefore, a wide range of different materials, such as noble metallic nanoparticles, graphene-based nanomaterials, , and semiconductor quantum dots, were used to develop this method.…”

Nanozyme-catalysed CRISPR assay for preamplification-free detection of non-coding RNAs

“…Given the low LOD of CrisprZyme, we next tested if the assay could be employed for the detection of different non-coding RNA species since they represent promising biomarkers [18][19][20] but can be challenging to sense 21,22 . Indeed, CrisprZyme enabled the quantitation of synthetic standards of microRNA-223 (miR-223), aurora kinase A (AURKA) circular RNA and long non-coding RNA LIPCAR (lnc-LIPCAR) in the picomolar range (Fig.…”

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials Development for Nanomedicine and Cancer

“…Metal-based NPs are widely used in biomedicine due to their advantages, including facile synthesis with the controlled sizes and shapes, easy surface functionalization, high biocompatibility, and attractive physicochemical properties. , Noble metal NPs of gold and silver are among the most widely used metal NPs for biomedical applications. The biocompatible gold NPs are extensively considered for their optical properties in biosensing , and as a nanocarrier for drug delivery. , The silver NPs are mainly used as the antimicrobial agents against bacterial, fungal, and viral contaminants. − The anticancer activity of silver NPs and their action mechanisms against the cancer cell lines have also been reported. , The superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs) are one of the most commonly used NPs in the applied sciences due to their excellent properties, especially the simple and cost-effective synthesis, prominent magnetic activity, and easy functionalization. , The biocompatible and superparamagnetic SPIONs are extensively used in biomedical applications such as magnetically conducted drug delivery, gene delivery, biosensing, , imaging, − diagnostics, , therapy, and the magnetic separation of biological targets. − The most common applications of SPIONs in biomedicine include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunomagnetic separation, and hyperthermia.…”