The microRNA: overview of the RNA gene that modulates gene functions / Shao-Yao [and others] -- Structure analysis of microRNA precursors / Jacek Krol and Wlodzimierz J. Krzyzosiak -- MicroRNA biogenesis: isolation and characterization of the microprocessor complex / Richard K. Gregory, Thimmaiah P. Chendrimada, and Ramin Shiekhatter -- Recognition and cleavange of primary microRNA transcripts / Yan Zeng and Bryan R. Cullen -- Mouse embryonic stem cells as a model genetic system to dissect and exploit the RNA interference machinery / Stefan A. Muljo and Chryssa Kanellopoulou -- MicroRNAs and messenger RNA turnover / Julia A. Chekanova and Dmitry A. Belostotsky -- Prediction of microRNA targets / Marc Rehmsmeier -- Prediction of human microRNA targets / Bino John, Chris Sander, and Debora S. Marks -- Complications in mammalian microRNA target prediction / Neil R. Smalheiser and Vetle I. Torvik -- miRBase: the microRNA sequence database / Sam Griffiths-Jones. Methodologies for high-throughput expression profiling of microRNAs / Paz Einat -- In situ hybridization as a tool to study the role of microRNAs in plant development / Catherine Kidner and Marja Timmermans -- Usefulness of the luciferase reporter system to test in efficacy of siRNA / Fengfeng Zhuang and Yi-Hsin Liu -- Cloning microRNAs from mammalian tissues / Michael Z. Michael -- Methods for analyzing microRNA expression and function during hematopoietic lineage differentiation / Hyeyoung Min and Chang-Zheng Chen -- Identifying microRNNA regulators of cell death in Drosophila / Chun-Hong Chen, Ming Guo, and Bruce A. Hay -- MicroRNAs in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection / Yamina Bennasser [and others] -- Cloning and detection of HIV-1-encoded microRNA / Shinya Omoto and Yoichi R. Fujii. Identification of messenger RNAs and microRNAs associated with fragile X mental retardation protein / Ranhui Duan and Peng Jin -- In vitro precursor microRNA processing assays using Drosophila Schneider-2 cell lysates / Akira Ishizuka [and others] -- Downregulation of human Cdc6 protein using a lentivirus RNA interference expression vector / Feng Luo [and others] -- Gene silencing in vitro and in vivo using intronic microRNAs / Shi-Lung Lin, donald C. Chang, and Shao-Yao Ying -- Transgene-link animal models using intronic microRNAs / Shi-Lung Lin, Shin-Ju E. chang, and Shao-Yao Ying -- Evolution of microRNAs / Andrea Tanzer and Peter F. Stadler -- Perspectives / Shao-Yao Ying [and others].

MicroRNA Protocols provides diverse, novel, and useful descriptions of miRNAs in several species, including plants, worms, flies, fish, chicks, mice, and humans. These include some useful adaptations and applications that could be relevant to the wider research community who are already familiar with the identification of miRNAs. This volume will stimulate the reader to explore diverse ways to understanding the mechanism in which miRNAs facilitate the molecular aspects of the biomedical research.