Non-coding RNA, such as miRNA, expression data derived from a cell population is used to infer the propensity of that cell population for a cellular functional effect for a pre-determined purpose, which effect is temporally, procedurally or interventionally separated from the cell population from which the expression data is derived. Thereby, the cellular functional effect of a cell population can be predicted in order to improve decisions and selections to be made relating to the use of cells, e.g. from cells deriving from different donors or batches, for use in bioprocess application or cell therapeutics, in order to enhance productivity, efficiency and/or efficacy.