Communications of the ACM
Learning from Relatives
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University of Freiburg researchers have developed CopraRNA, software that predicts the functions of bacterial gene regulators. CopraRNA reduces complicated laboratory tests while simplifying the search for bacterial regulators. The researchers note that understanding the functions of these regulatory molecules is important to fighting pathogens in medicine, and their modification could help in biotechnological projects.
CopraRNA enables researchers to enter the RNA sequence of three or more bacterial species on a website to acquire information about their possible functions. Traditionally, RNAs were thought of as working copies of DNA for protein synthesis. However, the RNA molecules studied at Freiburg do not produce proteins, and are called non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNA). It was recently discovered that ncRNA molecules play an important role in the signaling network of a cell, such as when a bacterium reacts to external stimulants.
Researching the function of ncRNAs is an arduous challenge, requiring numerous comprehensive tests for determining the genetic sequences they interact with. The process can be simplified by predicting which genes the molecules might target for activation or inactivation. Both are based on the individual sequences of the ncRNA regulators.
From University of Freiburg
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