Everything You Need to Know About Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Analysis

RNA analysis enables the examination of the sequences and quantity of RNA in a sample via technologies or techniques such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), microarray, polymerase chain reaction, and mass cytometry. It evaluates the transcriptome, hinting at which of the genes encoded in DNA are turned off or on and to what extent.

With the surging fondness for personalized medicine, rising number of applications for RNA sequencing, production of new transcriptomics products by various companies, and increasing government investments for omics, biotech, and pharma research & development expenses, the RNA analysis sector is advancing significantly, and it will reach a value of USD 14,909.8 million by the end of this decade.

Next-Generation Sequencing Vs. Microarray

Both next-generation sequencing and microarray are types of technology used in RNA analysis, let’s understand their difference.

Next-generation sequencing is a vastly parallel technology of sequencing that provides scalability, speed, and ultra-high throughput. The technology is utilized to determine the nucleotide order in targeted regions or entire genomes of RNA or DNA.

Moreover, NGS is the most widely utilized technology in RNA analysis because of the advancement in the field of precision medication, as well as the surging count of research studies concerning RNA sequencing because of its benefits over traditional technologies.

On the other hand, microarray technology is utilized in understanding the data produced from experiments on RNA, which enables researchers to examine the expression state of numerous genes, in most cases, an entire genome of organisms in a single experiment.

Application of RNA Analysis

Some of the most significant applications of RNA analysis are:

Drug Discovery and Development

RNA analysis has transformed the method biologists study transcriptomes and has been effectively utilized in drug discovery and development, being able to classify microRNAs, fusion proteins, and drug-related genes.

Moreover, the arrival of RNA-based medications is one of the key reasons for boosting the utilization of RNA analysis in the process of drug discovery and development. RNA-based medications are being investigated for illnesses that are currently without a cure and those difficult to treat, for instance, cancer, rare genetic disorders, diabetes, and AIDS.

Diagnostics

RNA analysis enables the detection of various RNA species, such as non-coding RNA, mRNA, pathogen RNA, transcript isoforms, splice variants, and chimeric gene fusions; and offers the ability to quantify known rare RNA transcript variants and pre-defined RNA species within a sample.

Moreover, RNA analysis also assists in the discovery of germline and mutation variation for numerous variants of expressed genetics, enabling allele-specific expression assessment of these variants.

Single Cell Analysis

Single-cell analysis enables researchers to execute profiling of genome-wide genes at the level of individual cells. Single-cell analysis has resulted in a new start in transcriptomics by evaluating the expression dynamics of genes at the level of single-cell, illustrating the complex biological systems, for instance, embryogenesis and cancer.

With the increasing number of RNA sequencing applications and rising fondness for tailored medicine, the requirement for RNA analysis will continue to surge in the years to come.