The scientific journal Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), published by the Brazilian Society of Genetics, is celebrating 50 years in 2027. To mark this occasion, the journal is highlighting the 50 most cited papers in its history. Among them is the review ‘The new world of RNAs‘, which included contributions from three researchers of the CEPID BRAINN, André Schwambach Vieira, Simoni Helena Avansini and Iscia Lopes-Cendes.

The New World of RNAs

Published in 2013, the article is a didactic review on noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), with a primary focus on microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).

In the article, the authors explain miRNA biogenesis and how these molecules can regulate gene expression, either through mRNA degradation or by inhibiting translation. The text also describes the different classes of ncRNAs, the complexity of regulatory networks, and the association between miRNA dysregulation and diseases such as cancer.

The review further addresses siRNAs and the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi), emphasizing that siRNAs are an important tool in mammals for silencing specific genes, and discusses experimental and therapeutic applications — from functional studies to early clinical trials of RNA‑based drugs. The authors comment on the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers and RNAi approaches as promising therapeutic strategies, while also pointing out technical limitations (target prediction specificity, need for experimental validation) and challenges for clinical translation.

About Genetics and Molecular Biology

GMB was published between 1978 and 1997 under the title Revista Brasileira de Genética (Brazilian Journal of Genetics), and its name was updated to Genetics and Molecular Biology starting with volume 21, issue 01, March 1998. In 2024, the journal obtained an impact factor of 1.3 (1.7 for 5 years / JCR, Clarivate), with a Citescore of 3.2 and an h‑Index of 65.