Described herein are novel polynucleotides associated with liver cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs, miRNA precursors, and associated nucleic acids. Methods and compositions are described that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of liver cancer. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of the disease-associated polynucleotides. Also described herein are methods and compositions for linear amplification and labeling of a targeted nucleic acid. The amplified targeted molecules may be used in hybridization techniques like Luminex and Microarray analysis.