MiRNAs are small non-coding RNA which usually downregulate the expression of their target mRNAs(Bartel, 2004). The role of miRNA in cancer has been well documented(Peng & Croce, 2015). It was proposed that secreted extracellular miRNA is involved in intercellular communication and may function in a manner similar to hormones (Park, 2017). Secreted miRNAsareused to diagnose childhood and adult cancers (Palmer et al., 2010; Murray et al., 2015); however, the triggers and mechanisms of miRNA secretion are poorly understood.The miR-379/miR-656 cluster (hereafter C14MC)on human chromosome 14 contains74 mature miRNAs. It has been reported that the entire cluster is downregulated in multiple human cancers (Laddha et al, 2013), while it has been found to be upregulated in lung cancer and hepatocarcinoma. Interestingly, it has been recently reported that miRNAs from this cluster are preferentially exported out of cells via exosomes (Tsang et al, 2017).

Grant Award – Kidscan Student Placement (2018 – 2019)

Funding Award – £2000.00

Funding Awarded to – Dr Pika Miklavc

Research Location – University of Salford

Lead Researcher – Dr Pika Miklavc