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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
06:16
mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
Computational prediction of viral miRNAs
1Heinrich-Pette-Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology, Hamburg, Germany. Adam.Grundhoff@hpi.uni-hamburg.de
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Computational prediction offers an efficient alternative for discovering novel microRNAs (miRNAs), especially in viral genomes. This study details a protocol using VMir, a new tool for identifying viral pre-miRNAs with minimal technical effort.
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Next-generation sequencing and cloning are established methods for novel miRNA discovery.
- Computational miRNA prediction offers a technically accessible alternative, particularly for viral genomes where candidate numbers are manageable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a detailed protocol for predicting viral microRNA (miRNA) genes.
- To introduce VMir, a novel ab initio prediction program specifically designed for viral pre-miRNA identification.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing VMir, an ab initio prediction program.
- Applying the protocol to viral genomes for pre-miRNA identification.
Main Results:
- The protocol facilitates the prediction of putative miRNA genes in viral genomes.
- VMir is specifically designed for identifying pre-miRNAs in viral sequences.
Conclusions:
- Computational prediction, particularly with tools like VMir, is a valuable and efficient method for discovering viral miRNAs.
- The presented protocol enables researchers to identify potential viral pre-miRNAs with reduced technical requirements.
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