MicroRNA expression levels, in both tissue and blood, correlate with disease state in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer
Katie Freeman,
Senior Biologist
PolyMedix
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Abstract: microRNAs are small, recently discovered RNA molecules which regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. There are currently 706 annotated unique microRNAs expressed from the human genome. Each microRNA can regulate the expression level of multiple mRNAs, therefore a large portion of the genome may be regulated at this level. microRNAs themselves are regulated, with tissue-dependent and disease-dependent patterns of expression. Several investigators have shown that the microRNA levels in tissue biopsies correlates with disease states. microRNA expression changes have also been reported in blood, but as yet, there are no reports showing a correlation between the levels of microRNA found in blood with those found in diseased tissues. We used a mouse model of pancreatic cancer to address this question. microRNA levels were profiled in tissue samples from the pancreas of diseased and normal mice. Changes in microRNA expression levels were then compared to changes observed in sera from the same animals. The analysis determined a strong correlation between microRNA expression changes in tissue and in sera. Such disease related changes in microRNA expression levels in sera, along with their high stability, make microRNAs attractive molecules for diagnostic and biomarker development.
Presenter Biography: Katie Freeman received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, she continued her studies as a post-doctoral research fellow at Columbia University, investigating mechanisms of transcriptional silencing in yeast. From there, Katie joined the Comparative Genomics group at SmithKline Beecham utilizing yeast genetics, molecular and cellular biology to support drug discovery efforts throughout all therapeutic areas. The yeast-based assay platform was used to identify small molecule regulators of orphan 7TM receptors, to develop nuclear receptor-cofactor profiling assays and to develop several assays for highthroughput screening. As the company merged to become GlaxoSmithKline she advanced to manager in the Cardiovascular Discovery Technology Group developing mammalian cell based assays and genomic technologies to discover, select, and progress targets for cardiovascular drug discovery. Currently, Katie is senior biologist at PolyMedix developing a unique reversing agent for heparin and low molecular weight heparin.
Online Presentation: http://lifescience.planetconnect.com/ppt/LSPrinceton/tuesday/KATIE_FREEMAN.ppt
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