RNAMiner makes genetic science easier, could lead to faster
results
(July 8, 2015) Technology
rapidly is advancing the study of genetics and the search for causes of major
diseases. Analysis of genomic sequences that once took days or months now can
be performed in a matter of hours. Yet, for most genetic scientists, the lack
of access to computer servers and programs capable of quickly handling vast
amounts of data can hinder genetic advancements. Now, a group of scientists at
the University of Missouri has introduced a game changer in the world of biological
research. The online, free service, RNAMiner, has been developed to handle
large data sets which could lead to faster results in the study of plant and
animal genomics.
“This work actually started mainly because of the demand of
MU scientists,” said Jianlin Cheng, an associate professor of computer science
in the MU College of Engineering. “RNA sequencing is the means by which
researchers use modern sequencing techniques to study RNA, or ribonucleic acid.
The process has increased the speed that researchers can note the differences
in gene expression among genomes—but it comes at a cost. Often, scientists must
sift through incredibly large amounts of data to get to usable results.
RNAMiner has cut that time drastically.”
Cheng and doctoral students Jilong Li and Jie Hou partnered
with members of the MU Center for Botanical Interaction Studies, the Division
of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of
Biochemistry, the MU Informatics Institute and the Bond Life Sciences Center to
analyze vast genomic data sets and to formulate the design of RNAMiner.