Cancer Biology and MicroRNAs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cancer Biology and MicroRNAs - Essay Example These various RNAs then decide how the amino acids will be coded to make the final protein chain and hence the expression of the genes. MicroRNAs however, are non-coding which means that they are not involved in the transcription and the translation process in any way. They are small molecules and they contain about twenty to twenty-five nucleotides. The role of the micro RNAs is to regulate gene expression as the work of the coding RNA needs to be streamlined to avoid abnormal or wrong coding. They are also very important in RNA silencing which involves suppressing the effect of a gene or more than one gene after coding has taken place (Dutta & Lee, 2010). This can also be important in the elimination of certain unwanted genes form the body. RNA silencing involves the use of antisense RNA which is used in the gene silencing. The identification of the two were among the greatest works done in this field in the last century. Of more importance is the realization that miRNA were signif icant players in the etiology of cancer. Further studies have shown that the miRNAs can be used in cancer therapy and so understanding their nature existence and roles is of great importance to molecular biology. miRNAs are often expressed differently in various stages of development in the organism an aspect that made them be called small temporal RNA due to their temporary expression (Dutta & Lee, 2010). The techniques used to measure their expression include Northern blotting and primer extension assay. This has been developed to help in understanding the small aspects of DNA and RNA that scientists could have ignored or bypassed in the past. As highlighted earlier, micro RNAs play a role in suppressing target messenger RNA expression. This is a complex interaction which includes interacting with 3’UTR in the mRNA. What has been noted is that there are many mismatches in the micro RNA target sites a situation  that is still being probed to establish the cause and effects in gene mRNA expression. miRNA is also known to inhibit or decrease the target levels in the respective mRNA and so this can affect the organism adversely or serve as a predisposing factor for cancer.

Prospective corporate strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Prospective corporate strategy - Essay Example This lust for new market has triggered a wave of competition which has necessitated the need for organization to differentiate themselves from its competitors in order to sustain themselves in the market (Brakman & Heijdra, 2004, p.413). Task 1: Strategic Positioning Central Arguments In order to take on the increased levels of competition firms have started adopting different strategies that tend to provide greater value to the consumers. Strategists and marketers are increasingly enhancing their focus on aspects like positioning and branding. Positioning is defined the image of a particular product or service in the minds of the consumer (Hiebing, Hiebing & Cooper, 2004, p.146). Value addition has become the prime aim of business organizations to sustain and differentiate themselves in the global market. Value proposition refers to the value addition that an organization provides to its customers by virtue of its business operations and product or service offering (Hax, 2009, p.42) . Michael Porter identified three basic generic strategies that could be used to create strategic positioning for a firm in the market. He stated that a firm can sustain itself in the business market by adopting one or a combination of the three generic strategies which are focus, cost leadership and differentiation. Strategic positioning involves selecting an optimum mix of the three generic strategies stated above to gain strategic and sustainable advantage while creating greater value for the stakeholders of an organization (Hansen, Mowen & Guan, 2007, p.377-378). The principles of strategic positioning as outlined by Thornton are stated below: 1. Concept based strategy formulation 2. Long term vision and planning 3. Diversification of thought 4. Strength based planning (Thornton, 2007, p.14). Adopting a strategic positioning would help a firm to pursue activities that would help them differentiate the product or service offering from the rest of its competitors in the business m arket. It would also act as a guideline towards new product development as well as enhancement of value addition to a product or service offering (Steinbock, 2007, p.273). Task 2: Internet and Strategic Positioning The twenty first century has also been described as the age of information technology. The backbone for this lies in the advancement in internet technology. Internet has reduced the distance between the individuals. This aspect has been largely used by business organizations to gain competitive advantage. The rise of dotcom sites and online web portals has been accredited with enhancing the business potential of business organizations. However, an article by Michael Porter strongly contradicts this view. The author in his article conveys his reservations about internet technology being used as medium to add value to a product or service offering. He states that internet has not generated a significant increase in the value offering of the products rather it has created a situation where value addition implies only cost based improvement. He further questions the business model of the dot.com companies as he believes that the present business model ignores the aspect of profitability and value. In this article it has been explicitly stated that the rise of internet in business organiza