The Mira Dx Platform

The ability of researchers to locate stronger genomic markers has begun to accelerate, in large part due to the discovery of new genetic regulators called microRNAs (miRNAs).  MiRNAs are small, recently identified genetic regulators that control cell development, cell cycle, cell differentiation and cell death. In addition, miRNAs have been found to be important in cancer and other disease states, likely due to their ability to regulate hundreds of gene targets (as many as 800 per miRNA) simultaneously. They act by inhibiting translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein by binding to the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of their target mRNAs. The 3’UTR was previously a largely unexplored region, long thought to be a region with low importance.  Due to the role of miRNAs as important global regulators, new tests based on miRNA biology are likely to identify powerful genetic markers. Tests utilizing miRNA biology will be developed as diagnostics and prognostics, will help direct targeted therapies appropriately, and will be a significant step towards personalized medicine.

The Company is applying miRNA discoveries to develop molecular diagnostics, which will provide individualized information on the likelihood of disease occurrence and response to certain types of therapy.