Plant MicroRNAs. Methods and Protocols. 2010. (Springer Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology,592). illus. tabs. XII, 267 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

MicroRNAs constitute a particularly important class ofsmall RNAs given their abundance, broad phylogenetic conservation and strong regulatory effects, with plant miRNAs uniquely divulging their ancient evolutionary origins and their strong post-transcriptional regulatory effects. In the book the focus is on the identification, validation, and characterization of the miRNA class of RNAs, and address important aspects about heterochromatic small interfering RNAs. In addition, the methods contained in this volume emphasize miRNA analyses, but also include ways to distinguish one class ofsmall RNAs from another. The chapters in the book including brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.