miRNA Synthesis Service
Overview
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a critical class of small, noncoding RNAs, approximately 21 nucleotides in length, that function as master regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. It is estimated that miRNAs regulate the activity of over 60% of all protein-coding genes, making them pivotal tools in understanding and treating a vast array of diseases. The ability to precisely modulate these biological pathways—either by restoring a suppressed miRNA using a miRNA mimic or by blocking a pathogenic one using a chemically stabilized miRNA inhibitor—represents a high-value strategy in nucleic acid therapeutics.
Harnessing deep engagement with nucleic acid chemistry, CD BioGlyco confers upon investigators and pharmaceutical architects miRNAs of exceptional purity, each synthesis meticulously tailored. This pursuit arises from a resolve to transcend the innate biological adversities these entities endure—their fleeting stability and reluctant passage across cellular membranes. By furnishing refined, extensively engineered, and functionally attested miRNA mimics and inhibitors, CD BioGlyco anchors every therapeutic or exploratory venture upon an immutable groundwork of scholarly precision and assured integrity.
Core Technologies
The success of a miRNA-based therapeutic relies entirely on the quality, purity, and stability of the synthetic oligonucleotide. We employ state-of-the-art solid-phase chemical synthesis methods, which allow for the incorporation of a wide range of chemical modifications with unmatched fidelity.
- Synthetic Precision
We utilize optimized phosphoramidite chemistry to construct the single-stranded RNA sequences required for both mimics (which are later annealed) and Inhibitors. This precision ensures 100% sequence accuracy across the entire length, which is crucial for specific target recognition in the cell.
- Stability and Efficacy Modifications
Synthetic miRNAs, particularly inhibitors, often require advanced chemical modification strategies to enhance their resistance to nucleases and improve cell uptake. Our service incorporates critical modifications such as 2'-O-methyl (2'-O-Me), locked nucleic acid (LNA), and phosphorothioate (PS) linkages to dramatically increase the molecule's half-life in vitro and in vivo. This chemical fortification is key to achieving effective therapeutic outcomes, especially when compared to non-protected molecules.
- Quality Control Standards
Every batch is subjected to rigorous analytical validation, including mass spectrometry (MS) for verifying molecular weight and sequence integrity, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for confirming exceptional purity and isolation from truncated sequences.
Your Sequence, Our Expertise: Custom miRNA Synthesis
We offer a flexible service scope tailored to the diverse needs of academic research and drug development, spanning fundamental discovery to advanced preclinical models.
- Product Types
- miRNA Mimics: Double-stranded RNA for exogenous restoration of miRNA function.
- miRNA Inhibitors (Anti-miRs): Single-stranded, chemically stabilized oligonucleotides (e.g., LNA- or 2'-O-Me-modified) to sequester and silence endogenous miRNAs.
- Scale and Purity
We offer a full spectrum of synthesis scales, from g quantities for initial in vitro screening to multi-gram quantities for large-scale in vivo studies. Standard purity options include desalted, PAGE, and HPLC purification (up to 98%).
- Modifications and Conjugations
Access to a vast library of chemical modifications (e.g., 2'-F, 2'-O-MOE) and conjugations is essential for optimizing cellular uptake, stability, and tracking in complex biological systems.
Workflow
Consultation & Sequence Design
Our specialists collaborate with your team to finalize the target miRNA sequence, determine the appropriate sense/antisense strands (for mimics), and specify necessary chemical modifications and delivery formats (e.g., fluorescent labels, cholesterol conjugates).
High-Fidelity Oligonucleotide Synthesis
The single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides are synthesized using optimized solid-phase chemistry. We scale the synthesis from nmol to gram quantities to meet preclinical and clinical requirements.
Advanced Purification
The crude product is purified using proprietary HPLC and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) methods, guaranteeing purity levels tailored to your application. This step is crucial for removing truncated or impure sequences that can lead to non-specific effects.
Annealing and Modification
For miRNA mimics, the highly purified sense and antisense strands are precisely annealed to form a functional double-stranded (dsRNA) molecule. Inhibitors are prepared in their final chemically modified single-stranded format. Functional group conjugation (e.g., fluorophore addition) is performed at this stage.
Final Quality Assurance & Formulation
The final product undergoes final QC (MS, HPLC) to confirm specifications. The material is then formulated (typically lyophilized) and packaged for secure, stable delivery, often maintaining stability at room temperature for extended periods.
Publication Data
Journal: Frontiers in endocrinology
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00402
IF: 4.6
Published: 2018
Results: This comprehensive review article provides a detailed overview of the biogenesis, mechanisms of action, and circulation of miRNAs, highlighting their critical role as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The authors systematically describe the canonical and non-canonical pathways through which miRNAs are processed from primary transcripts into mature, functional molecules, emphasizing the key proteins involved, such as Drosha, Dicer, and Argonaute. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to explaining the sophisticated mechanisms by which miRNAs mediate gene silencing, primarily through the miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC), which leads to translational repression or degradation of target mRNAs. Furthermore, the article explores the dynamic nature of miRNA actions, including their subcellular compartmentalization and the factors influencing their efficiency, such as miRNA/target abundance and binding affinity. Finally, the authors summarize the emerging understanding of extracellular miRNAs, detailing their secretion, stability in biological fluids, and function as chemical messengers in cell-to-cell communication, which positions them as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. By synthesizing current knowledge across these domains, the review presents miRNAs as central players in a complex and dynamic regulatory network that influences a vast array of biological processes and diseases.
Applications
Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases
Using miRNA inhibitors to block host-pathogen interactions or deploying mimics to suppress chronic inflammatory pathways. The ability to inhibit inflammation and pathways like pyroptosis is a high-impact application of these molecules.
Fibrotic and Chronic Conditions
Developing therapeutics aimed at conditions characterized by excessive tissue scarring, such as lung, liver, or skin fibrosis. Specific miRNA mimics, for example, have been shown to regulate key profibrotic and inflammatory factors in these models.
Drug Target Validation
Employing mimics and inhibitors as high-specificity tools to knock down or overexpress target pathways in a cellular context, providing clear causality data for drug discovery efforts.
Gene Therapy and Delivery System Development
Synthesizing the high-payload, stable miRNA components needed for cutting-edge delivery vehicles, such as nucleic acid frameworks, liposomes, or viral vectors.
Advantages
Core Expertise in Nucleic Acid Chemistry
We possess deep expertise in nucleic acid chemistry, which forms the foundation of our services. Our team has extensive experience in oligonucleotide synthesis, enabling us to tackle the inherent challenges of RNA stability and produce high-quality, custom-synthesized miRNAs for both basic research and therapeutic development. This expertise allows for flexible and diverse custom synthesis options to meet specific research requirements.
Rigorous Quality Control and Certification
We are committed to delivering products of the highest quality and consistency. We employ advanced purification methods like HPLC/MS analysis and provide comprehensive quality control reports with our products to guarantee their purity and performance.
Comprehensive Product Portfolio for Functional Studies
Our service portfolio is designed to support the full spectrum of miRNA functional studies. We provide a complete suite of products, including highly pure miRNA mimics for gain-of-function studies and miRNA inhibitors (as well as their in vivo counterparts, agomirs and antagomirs) for loss-of-function studies. Our chemically synthesized mimics are known for their high efficiency, enabling significant overexpression and yielding reliable results in cellular assays.
Advanced Technical Support and Customization
Beyond standard products, we offer extensive customization and expert technical support. Our team provides professional guidance from project consultation and experimental design to after-sales support, ensuring a seamless research experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Review
The LNA-modified Inhibitors from CD BioGlyco were the cleanest material we have ever used. Their low endotoxin levels were crucial for our sensitive in vivo mouse model, resulting in minimal non-specific toxicity and the clearest target knockdown data we've achieved to date. Truly premium quality.
— Dr. Li, Principal Investigator, Oncology Research
The technical consultation we received during the design phase was invaluable. Their team recommended a 2'-O-Me/PS-modified mimic that drastically improved the stability and efficacy in our challenging primary cell lines. This saved us months of optimization time.
— Dr. Schmidt, Group Leader, Cardiovascular Medicine
The fluorescence-labeled miRNA mimics were perfect for tracking cellular uptake kinetics. The labeling efficiency was superb, and the functional activity of the oligo was completely preserved. CD BioGlyco provides the highest quality conjugated oligos.
— Research Associate, Senior Scientist, Inflammation and Immunology
Associated Services
Our miRNA synthesis service delivers high-quality RNA constructs, establishing the molecular foundation for therapeutic development. To translate these into effective treatments, our Therapeutic Oligonucleotide Delivery Development Service provides targeted delivery solutions, including specialized GalNAc-RNA conjugates with mono, bi, tri, and tetra-antennary structures for optimized tissue-specific uptake and therapeutic efficacy.
CD BioGlyco is dedicated to fueling the next generation of gene regulation research and therapeutics. Our state-of-the-art miRNA synthesis service delivers mimics and inhibitors with guaranteed purity, unparalleled stability through expert chemical modification, and the scalability needed for every stage of your project—from foundational in vitro screening to advanced in vivo therapeutic development. If you want to obtain the essential, high-quality molecular tools that turn biological hypotheses into validated success, contact us!
Reference
- O'Brien, J.; et al. Overview of microRNA biogenesis, mechanisms of actions, and circulation. Frontiers in endocrinology. 2018, 9: 402. (Open Access)