MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in nearly all developmental processes and human pathologies. MiRNAs are considered to be promising biomarkers, since their dysregulation correlates with the development and progress of many diseases. Short length, sequence homology among family members, susceptibility to degradation, and low abundance in total RNA samples make miRNA analysis a challenging task. Photoluminescent semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) possess unique properties such as bright photoluminescence, photostability and narrow emission peaks, wide possibilities for surface modification and bioconjugation, which serve as the basis for the development of different analytical methods for variety of analytes. Relatively small size of QDs’ and their narrow distribution are especially important for miRNA assay. The combination of QD-based biosensors with amplification techniques makes it possible to identify the target miRNA at a single-particle level with the detection limit at the attomolar scale. This review describes the principles of signal generation: direct intensity measurements, different “signal on” and “signal off” mechanisms as well as electro-chemiluminescence. Special attention is paid to the FRET-based techniques. According to our knowledge this is the first review related to QDs application for miRNA detection.

微小RNA（miRNA）是一类小的非编码RNA，几乎参与所有的发育过程和人类病理。MiRNA被认为是有前途的生物标志物，因为它们的失调与许多疾病的发展和进展相关。短的长度，家族成员之间的序列同源性，降解的敏感性以及总RNA样品中的低丰度使得miRNA分析成为一项艰巨的任务。光致发光半导体纳米粒子（量子点，量子点）具有独特的特性，例如明亮的光致发光，光稳定性和窄的发射峰，表面修饰和生物共轭的可能性很大，这为开发各种分析物的不同分析方法奠定了基础。相对较小的量子点及其狭窄的分布对于miRNA分析尤为重要。基于QD的生物传感器与扩增技术的结合使得可以在单分子水平上鉴定目标miRNA，且检测极限在attomolar规模。这篇综述描述了信号产生的原理：直接强度测量，不同的“信号开启”和“信号关闭”机制以及电化学发光。特别注意基于FRET的技术。据我们所知，这是有关QD在miRNA检测中的应用的首次综述。这篇综述描述了信号产生的原理：直接强度测量，不同的“信号开启”和“信号关闭”机制以及电化学发光。特别注意基于FRET的技术。据我们所知，这是有关QD在miRNA检测中的应用的首次综述。这篇综述描述了信号产生的原理：直接强度测量，不同的“信号开启”和“信号关闭”机制以及电化学发光。特别注意基于FRET的技术。据我们所知，这是有关QDs在miRNA检测中的应用的首次综述。