MicroRNAs holding the secret to early disease diagnosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were initially considered ‘junk’ genetic material when they were first discovered 30 years ago. 

Now the Nobel prize for Medicine has been awarded to the scientists who discovered them. 

They can help detect infections based on the host response, even before any antibodies or symptoms are present. 

MicroRNA research is now being supported at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), where the host response team is looking at how they change in response to infection.

“Standard diagnostics look for either the pathogen itself or the antibodies made in response to the pathogen,” says Dr Ryan Farr, leader of the team. 

“Instead of going after the pathogen directly, we look at the host response,” he says. 

Through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the team is able to create diagnostic tests to find diseases earlier, based on combinations of different molecules.

Learn more about the incredible ways digital research infrastructures can support the health of our communities in the sessions, ‘Digital research infrastructure for healthy communities’ and ‘AI & Imaging: Innovative insights into next generation therapeutics and diagnostics’.

Further information on the MicroRNA research being conducted at ACDP, supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), can also be found here.