MicroRNAs constitute a particularly important class of small RNAs given their abundance broad phylogenetic conservation and strong regulatory effects with plant miRNAs uniquely divulging their ancient evolutionary origins and their strong post-transcriptional regulatory effects. In Plant MicroRNAs: Methods and Protocols experts in the field present chapters that focus on the identification validation and characterization of the miRNA class of RNAs and address important aspects about heterochromatic small interfering RNAs. In addition the methods contained in this volume emphasize miRNA analyses but also include ways to distinguish one class of small RNAs from another. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics lists of the necessary materials and reagents step-by-step readily reproducible laboratory protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easy to use Plant MicroRNAs: Methods and Protocols provides the research community with a set of protocols that will help advance vital miRNA research for all plant species both in typical model species and non-model species alike.