RNA Structure Prediction

RNA has several roles besides being the intermediate stage of carrying genetic information as messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). For instance, microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNA) play a role in gene expression regulation, and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) catalyse peptide bond formation during protein synthesis. In addition, RNA is currently studied as a target in the pharmaceutical industry; several drugs work by interfering RNAs. To better understand and target RNA, secondary and tertiary structures need to be accurately predicted from RNA base sequences.