Topic: In Celebration of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun's Pioneering Discovery of microRNA and Its Role in Gene Regulation

This Special Issue celebrates the pioneering contributions of Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun to microRNA research. We aim to highlight the latest advancements, explore novel applications, and discuss emerging challenges in microRNA studies, with a specific focus on circulating microRNAs and those found in extracellular vesicles, particularly in the context of extracellular vesicles and circulating nucleic acids.

Scope of the Special Issue:
● Fundamental Discoveries:
- Mechanisms of microRNA biogenesis, regulation, and action.
- Advances in understanding microRNA maturation pathways and their interaction networks.
● Extracellular Vesicles and microRNA:
- The role of extracellular vesicles in the transport and intercellular signaling of microRNAs.
- Therapeutic potential of microRNA-loaded extracellular vesicles for treating chronic diseases.
- Packaging of microRNA into extracellular vesicles – selection and mechanisms.
● MicroRNA in Disease:
- Functional roles of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
- MicroRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for clinical applications.
● MicroRNA in plants and microorganisms:
- Contributions of microRNAs to plant development, stress responses, and environmental adaptation.
- Microbial microRNAs and their roles in host-pathogen interactions and ecosystem dynamics.
● Therapeutic Applications:
- Advances in microRNA-based treatments, including gene therapies and precision medicine.
- Innovative approaches to developing microRNA-based therapeutics and delivery systems.
- Overcoming challenges related to microRNA, stability, targeting, and off-target effects.
- Perspectives on the future of microRNA therapeutics in clinical settings.<
● Technological Advances:
- High-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics tools for microRNA discovery and profiling.
● Emerging Research:
- Insights into the interplay between microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs, including circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs.
- Exploration of microRNA-protein complexes and their biological significance.
- Future directions for studying microRNA evolution and diversification.

microRNA, miRNA, extracellular vesicles, exosomes, gene regulation, microRNA-based therapies, biomarkers, high-throughput sequencing, intercellular communication

1 Sep 2025