MicroRNA Databases and Tools

Methods Mol Biol. 2022:2257:131-166. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1170-8_7.

Abstract

In this era of big data, sets of methodologies and strategies are designed to extract knowledge from huge volumes of data. However, the cost of where and how to get this information accurately and quickly is extremely important, given the diversity of genomes and the different ways of representing that information. Among the huge set of information and relationships that the genome carries, there are sequences called miRNAs (microRNAs). These sequences were described in the 1990s and are mainly involved in mechanisms of regulation and gene expression. Having this in mind, this chapter focuses on exploring the available literature and providing useful and practical guidance on the miRNA database and tools topic. For that, we organized and present this text in two ways: (a) the update reviews and articles, which best summarize and discuss the theme; and (b) our update investigation on miRNA literature and portals about databases and tools. Finally, we present the main challenge and a possible solution to improve resources and tools.

Keywords: Bioinformatics; Data analysis; Databases; Mirtrons; Prediction; Repository; Resources; Target gene; Tools; miRNAs.

MeSH terms

  • Big Data
  • Computational Biology
  • Databases, Factual
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs