Imaging of intracellular-specific microRNA in tumor cells by symmetric exponential amplification-assisted fluorescence in situ hybridization

We report a symmetric exponential amplification-assisted fluorescence in situ hybridization (SEXPAR-FISH) strategy for imaging intracellular-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in cells. The strategy eliminates the risk of cell loss and miRNA leakage, and low-abundant intracellular miR-27a in cells can be imaged in only 2 h without compromising sensitivity and specificity.