Through this agreement, Asuragen will have access to microRNAs identified by a group led by Rockefeller University researcher Dr Thomas Tuschl. The microRNAs have been found to have expression profiles and functions involved with human diseases like diabetes and cancer.
“This licensing agreement, combined with our expertise in microRNAs, will facilitate Asuragen’s efforts to investigate the potential of these new molecular biomarkers as diagnostic analytes,” said Matt Winkler, CEO of Asuragen.
microRNAs are naturally occurring small RNAs that act to regulate mRNA expression and have the potential to be the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. There are approximately 350 microRNAs identified in humans, with the total predicted to eventually reach 1,000 or more.