A team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology delineated how the human enzyme DICER achieves single‑nucleotide precision when processing microRNAs, advancing mechanistic understanding of RNA silencing. The study maps DICER’s substrate recognition and cleavage patterns, findings with implications for miRNA biology, gene regulation, and RNA‑based therapeutics. By clarifying DICER’s enzymology, the work may aid design of small RNA therapeutics and diagnostics that hinge on predictable miRNA maturation. Translational researchers focusing on cancer, immune disorders, and genetic diseases could leverage these insights when engineering miRNA‑modulating interventions.