Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:38
Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
Published on: August 27, 2021
Vitiligo Information Resource database v3
Abhishek Sengupta1, Vishal Singh1, Muskan Syed1
1Systems Biology and Data Analytics Research Laboratory, Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India.
NPJ Systems Biology and Applications
|June 22, 2026
Summary
VIRdb v3.0 is a new database for vitiligo research, integrating gene expression and drug data to uncover molecular insights and potential treatments for this autoimmune skin disease.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Bioinformatics
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease causing melanocyte loss, with poorly understood molecular mechanisms.
- Existing research lacks a specialized systems biology interface for comprehensive vitiligo analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce VIRdb v3.0, an enhanced integrative database for vitiligo systems biology.
- To provide tools for exploring transcriptomics, protein interactions, and therapeutic targets in vitiligo.
Main Methods:
- Integrated curated transcriptomics data and differentially expressed genes.
- Developed a protein-protein interaction network and a library of natural compounds and FDA-approved drugs.
- Implemented pathway enrichment, molecular docking, and cross-disease comparisons.
- Redeveloped the backend using Django for scalability and real-time data integration.
Main Results:
- VIRdb v3.0 supports z-score normalization and multi-gene pathway enrichment queries.
- The platform enables comparative gene-gene interaction network analysis for vitiligo and comorbid autoimmune conditions.
- Facilitated identification of shared molecular signatures across autoimmune disorders.
Conclusions:
- VIRdb v3.0 advances vitiligo systems biology by enabling hypothesis generation and biomarker discovery.
- The database supports therapeutic exploration for vitiligo and related autoimmune conditions.
- VIRdb v3.0 is freely accessible, promoting collaborative research in vitiligo.
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