MicroRNA expression analysis using the Illumina microRNA-Seq Platform.

Direct sequencing of RNA molecules using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has revolutionized the analysis of transcriptome with its massively parallel throughput and low cost. Here, we describe Illumina's microRNA-Seq, a method for sequencing microRNA using the Illumina Genome Analyzer system. The sequence data generated from this method enables direct identifying and profiling of microRNAs in any given organism. It also sheds light in understanding the biogenesis and modification of microRNA.