What are the challenges in studying non coding RNA (ncRNAs)?

There are several challenges in studying ncRNAS. 

• One challenge is detection: due to their low expression levels, accurate isolation and quantification of small RNA species like microRNAs and lncRNAs are crucial. Detection technologies often require amplification to enhance sensitivity. Thus, analyzing the results of experiments such as miRNA inhibition or lncRNA knockdown can be difficult without known phenotypes or clearly defined targets. 
• Another challenge is ncRNAs (particularly microRNAs and lncRNAs) exhibit a wide range of expression levels. However, many of them are expressed at significantly lower levels compared to protein-coding genes. Their expression is highly tissue-specific and temporally regulated, which raises difficulties for researchers aiming to discover their specific functions. 
• A third challenge is target identification. MicroRNAs primarily regulate gene expression by binding to target mRNAs, and their target identification is relatively well known through in silico analysis and other approaches. In contrast, lncRNAs interact with various cellular components, including RNAs, proteins, or DNA making it essential to identify their ncRNA targets to discover their functions.