The present invention relates to the use of human-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) as targets for the identification of cardiac and cardiac-like cell types. In particular, it relates to a specific set of miRNAs which have been found to be correlated to cardiac differentiation and can act to up or downregulate a number of putative mRNA targets to guide differentiation and also act as markers for a cardiac phenotype. In addition, it also relates to the use of these miRNAs as tools for the isolation, selection, purification and characterisation of cardiac and cardiac-like cells and tissues. The invention also encompasses the possible use of these miRNAs in the differentiation and maturation of cardiac or cardiac-like cell types.
