miRNA Quality Evaluation Using Reference Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for evaluating the quality of miRNA in body fluid samples, such as serum, plasma, and urine, are inadequate as they rely on ribosomal RNA and long-chain RNA, which are not present in these samples, making it difficult to accurately assess RNA degradation and thus the quality of miRNA for gene expression analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of specific miRNAs (SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12) as reference miRNAs to measure their abundance in body fluid samples compared to a standard sample, calculating differences or ratios to assess the quality of miRNA, allowing for accurate evaluation of miRNA degradation and suitability for gene expression analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods using ribosomal RNA and long-chain RNA are used to evaluate RNA quality, then the evaluation can be performed using standard protocols, but the methods are ineffective for body fluid samples because these RNA types are not present in such samples

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of RNA degradation measurementVSAvoidapplicability to body fluid samples
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter being measured from ribosomal RNA and long-chain RNA to short-chain RNA species (specifically tRNA fragments and other small RNA molecules). This parameter change allows the evaluation method to be adapted to body fluid samples where conventional RNA types are absent, while still providing accurate degradation assessment through alternative molecular markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If gene expression analysis is performed without proper quality evaluation, then the analysis can be completed quickly, but the results may be inaccurate due to undetected RNA degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of gene expression analysisVSAvoidaccuracy of expression level measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary quality evaluation of RNA samples using short-chain RNA markers before proceeding to gene expression analysis. This preliminary action detects degradation early, allowing researchers to assess sample suitability and avoid performing analysis on degraded samples, thereby ensuring reliable results without significantly delaying the overall workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11408027B2Method of evaluating quality of miRNA derived from body fluid
Publication Date: 2022.08.09 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A method of evaluating quality of miRNA derived from a body fluid sample includes a measuring step; comparing a measured value(s) of the abundance(s) of the one or more reference miRNAs in a body fluid sample or a representative value thereof to a measured value(s) of the abundance(s) of the one or more reference miRNAs in a standard body fluid sample or a representative value thereof, to obtain a difference(s) or a ratio(s) of the measured value(s) of the abundance(s) of the one or more reference miRNAs or the representative value thereof between the body fluid sample and the standard body fluid sample; and judging the quality of the miRNA derived from the body fluid sample based on the difference(s) or the ratio(s) of the measured value(s) of the abundance(s) of the one or more reference miRNAs or the representative value thereof obtained in the comparing step.