The Dissenter

#1050 David Henshall - Fine-Tuning Life: A Guide to MicroRNAs, Your Genome's Master Regulators

13 snips
Jan 24, 2025
David Henshall, a Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and expert in epilepsy research, dives deep into the fascinating world of microRNAs. He explains how these tiny regulators are pivotal in gene expression and evolution. The discussion highlights their role in speciation and human cognition, and how they might revolutionize medical diagnostics, particularly in cancer. Henshall also unpacks the complexities of RNA regulation, shedding light on the intricate dance between genetics and life itself.
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INSIGHT

DNA, RNA, and MicroRNA Basics

  • DNA holds genetic instructions, while RNA is the messenger.
  • MicroRNAs are short RNAs regulating gene activity, crucial for fine-tuning biological processes.
INSIGHT

MicroRNAs and Gene Regulation

  • Gene regulation controls which genes activate in specific cells.
  • MicroRNAs play a key role in this process, influencing protein production.
INSIGHT

Diverse RNA Molecules

  • Different RNA types exist (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) with distinct roles.
  • MicroRNAs, a class of small RNAs, regulate gene expression without coding for proteins.
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