RNA molecules have long been known for their role in translating
genes to proteins inside a cell, but more recently, scientists
have found large numbers of RNA molecules that don't code for
proteins but seem to have other cellular roles. Most research in
mammals has focused on tiny RNA molecules called microRNAs, but
a new study, published this week in Nature, describes the far-
reaching effects of much larger and relatively unstudied RNA
molecules called lincRNAs (short for large intergenic noncoding
RNAs). The study identifies lincRNAs that play a role in the
function of embryonic stem cells, and suggests trying to use
lincRNAs to manipulate these cells to spawn other cell types. An
RNA Switch for Stem Cells Sun, 08/28/2011 - 8:44pm