Journal of Applied Bioanalysis will be publishing a specially focused issue dedicated to miRNAs: Recent Developments, Insights, and Proceedings. The Journal of Applied Bioanalysis invites the submission of abstracts on topics related to the special issue topic. Abstract proposals will be used to select and invite papers for final review and consideration.
Special Issue Editor
Shardul Kulkarni, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor at Penn State University, State College, PA 16801, United States.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of ~22 nucleotides that regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional mechanisms. They were first identified in C. elegans and since then have been found in a wide range of living organisms like plants, green algae, viruses, and animals. In the last two decades, increasing evidence has suggested that miRNAs are leading regulators of various cellular functions and are implicated in regulating cell growth, differentiation, development, and cell death. They are also shown to be linked to various diseases and have been reported as biomarkers. Although remarkable discoveries have been made in recent years – many aspects of miRNA mediated gene regulation still remain to be investigated. More mechanistic details are yet to be elucidated explaining temporal regulation by/of miRNAs, their stress-dependent regulation, tissue/cell-specific expression, and dynamics of their actions.
Since the beginning of 2020, the world has seen the emergence of COVID‑19 outbreak. The COVID‑19 is caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS‑CoV‑2]. Host cellular miRNA profiles were shown to affect the COVID-19 virulence in aged patients. Apart from the association with coronavirus, miRNAs are also shown to be associated with other viruses regulating their gene modulation, infectivity, and replication. These data suggest a very close connection between miRNA and COVID-19 biology; and warrant deeper, broader, and more detailed research.
The Future definitely appears promising for miRNA research with a multidimensional approach. This requires the development of more sophisticated laboratory experiments, innovative analytical methods, and numerical models. This will not only help in better understanding of these strong regulators of gene expression but also help the scientific community in developing therapeutics, biomarkers and vaccines.
Aims and Scope
We invite the authors to submit the manuscripts for a special issue of the Journal of Applied Bioanalysis focused on miRNAs encompassing the recent advances in the field and novel findings in experimental methods/protocols.
This special issue will focus on the technological and theoretical developments in the miRNA field. It will help the journal’s mission to cover various articles on multiple features of bioanalytical methods, techniques, philosophy, and advancement in instrumentation.
The scope of this special issue would be to uncover the various aspects of miRNAs including the recent technological developments.
We welcome a wide range of manuscripts like novel methodologies, review articles, or original research that present either experimental data or theoretical models. The articles should reflect innovative and integrated research on miRNA related topics.
We welcome the submission of manuscripts on following topics (but not limited to):
Authors are encouraged to submit the articles of various types including Review, Original Research – describing novel cases of gene regulation or methods describing advances in protocols, Opinion, Expert Communication, Rapid Communication, Special Reports, Letters-to-the-Editor, and Application Notes.
The manuscripts in this special issue may cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Genomics of miRNA: There has been a significant development in miRNA library preparation and miRNA sequencing methods. This topic may include manuscripts with an overview of these methods with a description of genomics of miRNA or the original research describing novel methods which describe potential advances. Manuscripts describing the genome-wide implications of miRNA overexpression and phenotypic analysis could be a part of this topic.
- miRNA in vivo detection and transformation: A comprehensive overview of the advancement of miRNA detection covering topics like challenges, methods etc. Papers describing numerous methods of miRNA transformation in cells and the development of phenotypic array could be included in this.
- Development and validation of miRNA assays: This topic would include several methods to validate miRNA targets, FDA guidelines on the approval of bioanalytical method development and validation to be used as a new class of drugs for disease treatment, clinical assessments, and diagnosis.
- miRNA, diseases, and development: The misregulation and/or altered expression of miRNAs has been implicated in diseases like cancer and developmental disorders and have been reported to be the biomarkers. Recent evidence also suggested that miRNA is responsible for the drug resistance mainly for the tumor cells. Articles related to the health conditions and possible connections to miRNA would be included in this part of the special issue.
- miRNA and COVID-19: Since its identification, COVID-19 has generated significant attention of researchers around the globe. The miRNA field is no immune to that and many experimental and/or theoretical evidence suggest a strong link between COVID-19 and miRNA pathway. Manuscripts connecting these fields would constitute this topic.
Manuscripts submitted, however not accepted for publication in this specially focused issue, but meeting all required publication standards of the Journal of Applied Bioanalysis, will be published in a regular journal issue.
Author guidelines
can be downloaded here.
The timeline for this special focused issue is as follows:
- Manuscript submission deadline: 1 March 2021
- Peer Review Due: April 2021
- Revision Due: May 2021
- Announcement of acceptance by the Issue Editor: May 2021
- Final manuscripts due: June 2021
- Publication online: June 2021
Open Access Manuscript Fees
All content of the Journal of Applied Bioanalysis is free accessible (open access). There are Article Processing Charges (APC) for this special focused issue of € 370.
For scientists with limited financial funds, a (partial) waive of APC is possible when he/she can prove this limitation. For more information on APC waivers, see here
More information
Dr. Roland J.W. Meesters, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Applied Bioanalysis; editor.jab@betasciencepress.com
