Sensing miRNAs for Disease Diagnostics

Abstract miRNAs are short nucleic acid sequences that regulate gene expression and are important biomarkers for disease diagnostics. In this Review, we overview the biogenesis and functions of miRNAs. The recent progress of biomarker development based on miRNAs is further discussed. In the end, we summarize the progress on miRNA detection methods towards clinical diagnostics. Although proper tools and standardized methodology in detection are still the bottlenecks for miRNA‐based diagnosis, the challenges are likely to be overcome with the development of new bioanalytical techniques. More importantly, upstream studies to elucidate mechanisms of miRNAs in target recognition and correlation with diseases will further advance the clinical use of miRNAs as biomarkers.