An ocean of small RNAs

[ToddStark]

The open ocean is teeming with microbial small RNAs that regulate a multitude of environmental processes ranging from carbon metabolism to nutrient acquisition, according to a paper published in tomorrow's (May 14) issue of Nature.

"What makes this study quite exciting is the access to novel and previously unidentified small RNAs," Jack Gilbert, a molecular ecologist at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory who was not involved in the study, told The Scientist. "Now we can look at the transcripts and regulation of whole suites of pathways in a whole community."

Commentary in The Scientist: http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55689/

Nature article: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v459/n7244/abs/nature08055.html