What Are the Key Applications of RNA-Seq in Cancer?
Gene Expression Profiling: RNA-Seq can measure the expression levels of genes across different cancer types, stages, and conditions, helping to identify differentially expressed genes that could serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Mutation Detection: RNA-Seq can identify mutations in RNA transcripts, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (indels), which may contribute to cancer. Fusion Gene Detection: Many cancers are characterized by gene fusions, where parts of two different genes become abnormally connected. RNA-Seq can identify these fusion events, which can be crucial for diagnosis and treatment. Alternative Splicing Analysis: RNA-Seq can detect alternative splicing events, which may produce different protein isoforms that contribute to cancer progression. Non-coding RNA Analysis: RNA-Seq can profile non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), that play regulatory roles in gene expression and cancer biology.
