Abstract: Method for generating and controlling complex strain patterns on biological materials comprising the steps of providing a magnetic stimulation device and a magneto-responsive substrate; culturing biological material in the substrate; determining the position of the magnetic stimulation device for obtaining a defined strain pattern on the biological material; placing the magnets in the position determined; and activating a magnetic stimulation device to generate a complex strain pattern in the magneto-responsive substrate and consequently in the biological material; and magneto-mechanical stimulation system comprising a magneto-responsive substrate configured to hold biological material; a holder for placing the magneto-responsive substrate; a magnetic stimulation device configured to generate a complex strain pattern on the biological material by generating a magnetic field which acts over the magneto-responsive substrate; a computing module; an imaging module for long-term monitoring; and an interface module

Abstract: The invention relates to novel expression systems for microRNAs (miRNAs) based on the expression of the sense and antisense strand from convergent promoters. The invention also provides a method for the direct cloning of small RNAs present in an RNA preparation by the direct ligation of the small RNAs present within the preparation to vectors. Interestingly, if the vectors contain convergent promoter regions, the vectors isolated according to the method of the invention can be used for the direct expression of the small RNA without the need of using the DNA encoding for the small RNA precursor molecule.