Figure 1.

Summary of the workflow in designing miRNA profiling from plasma or serum. One needs to first decide if plasma or serum will be analysed. If plasma is selected, then the anticoagulant should be carefully chosen, because of interference with downstream applications. Consistency in the time of collection, as well as other phlebotomy parameters, is necessary, concomitant with a similar time frame of miRNA extraction. For the extraction method selection, other factors have to be considered, such as the available initial fluid volume and the expected yield. Finally, quality control is a necessary step for successful downstream applications.