miRNAs aren't famous but they can make or break cancer

In 10 seconds? MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, are becoming appreciated for the many roles they play in preventing or promoting cancer. Scientists are investigating miRNAs for uses they may have in cancer screening and treatment.

What the heck is miRNA? And to think it all started with genetics research in nematodes…In previous digests, for simplicity's sake, I've described RNA as 'recipes' for cellular proteins. In those examples, I'm specifically referring to messenger RNA (AKA mRNA–like the one used in some COVID-19 vaccines). But there are different categories of RNA molecules and many of them serve purposes other than providing a recipe (or a code) to make proteins; these are also known as non-coding RNAs. miRNA is a type of non-coding RNA that is important in cancer gene regulation.