Thesis Abstract

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation and have been implicated in various biological processes, including cancer development and progression. This thesis aims to explore the specific roles of miRNAs in cancer, focusing on their involvement in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. Chapter One provides an introduction to the topic, offering background information on miRNAs, the problem statement emphasizing the significance of understanding miRNA dysregulation in cancer, research objectives, limitations, and scope of the study. The chapter also outlines the structure of the thesis and defines key terminologies used throughout the research. Chapter Two presents a comprehensive literature review that synthesizes existing knowledge on the roles of miRNAs in cancer development and progression. The review covers ten key areas, including the mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis, the impact of miRNA dysregulation on oncogenic signaling pathways, and the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer. Chapter Three details the research methodology employed in this study, including the selection of miRNAs of interest, experimental techniques used for miRNA profiling, and bioinformatics tools for miRNA target prediction and pathway analysis. The chapter also discusses the sample collection and analysis methods, as well as ethical considerations. Chapter Four presents a detailed discussion of the findings from the study, highlighting the specific roles of selected miRNAs in different aspects of cancer biology. The chapter explores how these miRNAs influence tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic strategies. Chapter Five concludes the thesis by summarizing the key findings and their implications for cancer research and clinical practice. The chapter discusses the limitations of the study, suggests future research directions, and emphasizes the importance of understanding miRNA dysregulation in cancer for developing more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the roles of miRNAs in cancer development and progression, shedding light on the complex interplay between miRNAs and cancer biology and highlighting the potential of miRNAs as novel targets for cancer therapy.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Exploring the Role of MicroRNAs in Cancer Development and Progression" aims to investigate the intricate relationship between microRNAs and the development and progression of cancer. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding how dysregulation of microRNAs can contribute to the initiation and progression of various types of cancer. The research will begin with a comprehensive literature review to establish the current understanding of the roles of microRNAs in cancer biology. This review will cover studies that have identified specific microRNAs that are dysregulated in different types of cancer and have been implicated in key processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Following the literature review, the research will delve into the methodology section, where the experimental approach to studying the role of microRNAs in cancer will be outlined. This will include details on sample collection, RNA extraction, microRNA profiling techniques such as RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and functional studies to elucidate the impact of specific microRNAs on cancer phenotypes. The findings section will present the results of the experiments conducted, highlighting the dysregulated microRNAs identified in cancer samples, their downstream target genes, and the functional consequences of their dysregulation on cancer cell behavior. The data generated from this research will provide valuable insights into the specific microRNAs that drive cancer development and progression, potentially uncovering novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In the conclusion and summary section, the key findings of the research will be summarized, and their implications for cancer biology and therapy will be discussed. Additionally, the limitations of the study and avenues for future research will be outlined to guide further investigations into the role of microRNAs in cancer. Overall, this research project aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the involvement of microRNAs in cancer and provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. By elucidating the complex regulatory networks involving microRNAs in cancer, this study has the potential to pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for cancer patients.