Development of Integrative Map of MicroRNA Gene Regulatory Elements

Like many other omics types, miRNomics is the topic of increased research interest. Fast accumulation of diverse biological information generates fragmented and sometimes contradictory results. There is an urgent need for development of protocols for systematic assembling, organization and integration of accumulated genomics data. In the present study we developed a protocol for connecting microRNA (miRNA) interactions into an integrative map of miRNA regulatory elements including: upstream regulators, overlapping genomic elements and downstream targets; miRNA-target interactions (MTIs). Data integration (integromics) in miRNomics enables revealing miRNA regulatory networks, obtaining new knowledge, setting more targeted hypotheses, prioritization of candidate regions, and facilitates biomarker development.