MicroRNAs: Small size, big medicine

Veterinary diagnostics is entering a new era—driven by precision, early detection, and molecular insight. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as transformative tools with the potential to reshape how clinicians detect, monitor, and predict disease. This session, designed for practicing veterinarians, will demonstrate how integrating molecular innovation into our daily workflows can elevate patient care and advance personalised veterinary medicine.

Dr Eve Hanks, veterinarian and CEO of MI:RNA, will introduce miRNAs and their regulatory roles in epigenetics, protein expression, and disease mechanisms. From biomarker discovery to clinical application, she will address current gaps in diagnostics and highlight the opportunities for new tools to enhance practice. Through real-world examples from veterinary and human medicine—including cardiac, dermatological, neoplastic, and behavioural disease—Dr Hanks will illustrate how miRNA diagnostics complement our [traditional/existing] clinical pathology testing. Finally, she will demonstrate how artificial intelligence enhances biomarker interpretation, accelerating accuracy and predictive capability.

By the end of this webinar, delegates will be able to:

• Describe the biological functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their emerging role as diagnostic biomarkers in veterinary species.
• Compare miRNA-based diagnostics with traditional diagnostic methods, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations in clinical veterinary practice.
• Recognise clinical indications where miRNA testing may provide diagnostic or prognostic value in patients, particularly in cases involving subclinical or complex disease presentations.
• Identify important implementation considerations for integrating miRNA diagnostics into veterinary workflows, including sample collection, test turnaround, results reporting, and client communication.