tributed equally to this work. to the prediction of 24 putative sRNA-encoding genes, of which 23 were Received: 2 May 2001 tested experimentally. Here we report on the discovery of 14 genes Revised: 21 May 2001 encoding novel small RNAs in E. coli and their expression patterns under Accepted: 23 May 2001 a variety of physiological conditions. Most of the newly discovered RNAs are abundant. Interestingly, the expression level of a significant number of Published: 26 June 2001 these RNAs increases upon entry into stationary phase. Current Biology 2001, 11:941--950 Conclusions: Based on our results, we conclude that small RNAs are much more widespread than previously imagined and that these versatile 0960-9822/01/$ -- see front matter # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.<F11