MiRNAs in Poultry Health and Production: Progress and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper reviews how microRNAs affect poultry traits like growth and immunity, and how new technologies are advancing miRNA research in birds.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of miRNA functions in poultry and discusses emerging technologies shaping the field.

Findings

MiRNAs regulate economically important traits in poultry such as growth and disease resistance.

Recent studies have identified numerous miRNAs in chickens, geese, turkeys, quails, and ducks.

New technologies like AI and genome editing are transforming miRNA research in poultry.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules that control gene expression, and they are proving to be important players in poultry biology. We summarize updated findings on miRNA research in chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese, focusing on how they influence traits like growth, immunity, and disease resistance. We also explore how new tools and methods—such as machine learning and genome editing—are changing the way we study these molecules. By combining past research with emerging technologies, this review presents a full picture of miRNAs’ role in poultry and highlights exciting future possibilities.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression. In poultry, miRNAs have emerged as significant regulators of various biological processes, such as growth, development, immune response, and disease resistance in humans, plants, and animals. Recent studies have identified numerous miRNAs in different poultry species (chickens, geese, turkeys, quails, and ducks) and have elucidated their roles in various economically important traits in these species. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in understanding the functions and mechanisms of miRNAs in poultry as well as the challenges faced in this field. Firstly, an overview of progress in the identification and validation of miRNAs in each species is provided. Then, specific roles of miRNAs in different classes of phenotypic traits are presented. Finally, the challenges and impacts of key technologies and methods, including artificial intelligence, genome editing, and single-cell sequencing, are discussed. From state-of-the-art research on miRNA functions across different trait classes to up-to-date technology trends, this review provides a comprehensive picture of miRNAs in poultry, which might open up new research and application possibilities.

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