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  • in reply to: What are piRNA and tiRNA ? #3752
    W. Norman
    Participant

      Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tiRNAs) are both types of small non-coding RNAs involved in various cellular processes, particularly in the regulation of gene expression and maintenance of genome integrity.

      piRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs, typically 24-31 nucleotides long, that interact with Piwi proteins. They are primarily expressed in the germline cells, where they play crucial roles in silencing transposable elements (TEs).

      See this: https://bioinformaticshub.net/forums/topic/what-are-transposons-transposases-and-transposomes/

      piRNAs guide Piwi proteins to complementary sequences in TEs, leading to their silencing through various mechanisms, including DNA methylation and heterochromatin formation.

      Besides their role in TE silencing, piRNAs have also been implicated in other processes such as epigenetic regulation, germ cell development, and possibly even in diseases like cancer.

      tiRNAs are small RNAs derived from transfer RNAs (tRNAs), They are generated through the cleavage of mature tRNAs under various stress conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, heat shock, or oxidative stress.

      These small RNAs, typically around 18-22 nucleotides long, have been shown to regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs and affecting translation. tiRNAs can function through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of translation initiation, modulation of ribosome dynamics, and possibly by serving as competitive inhibitors of microRNAs (miRNAs) or other RNA-binding proteins.

      Although their exact biological functions are still being elucidated, tiRNAs have been implicated in stress responses, development, and diseases such as cancer.

      In summary, piRNAs and tiRNAs are both small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in gene regulation and cellular homeostasis, with piRNAs primarily involved in silencing transposable elements in germline cells, while tiRNAs are implicated in stress responses and translational regulation.

      W. Norman
      Participant

        This largely depends on what your plans are.

        Anyway, you may see this previous answer:

        What is Python? – Bioinformatics Hub

        in reply to: Why cannot we see DNA #3572
        W. Norman
        Participant

          DNA is the genetic material in most organisms. It is a long polymer of nucleotides and has a double helix structure. The reason we can’t see DNA with the naked eye is due to its size. A strand of DNA is just 2 nanometers wide, which is smaller than a wavelength of light. This makes it impossible to see without the aid of sophisticated lab equipment like electron microscopes.

          Even with these tools, visualizing DNA isn’t straightforward. The iconic twisted ladder, or double-helix structure, was first revealed in a photo captured by Rosalind Franklin in the 1950s. However, this popular visualization only tells part of the story of DNA. Most of the time, the strands sit tightly wound in a well-organized web inside the nucleus. These balls of genes are efficient, packing 2 meters of DNA into a space just 10 millionths of a meter across.

          So, while we can’t see DNA with our eyes, scientists have developed techniques to study it and understand its structure and function. These include X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and more recently, computer modeling. Each of these methods provides a different perspective and adds to our understanding of this essential molecule of life.

          You may read this:

          Why DNA Is So Hard to Visualize

          W. Norman
          Participant

            Notice also that C at specific CpG sequences is the site of DNA methylation. This a type of epigenetic modification of the genome.

            in reply to: What is Python? #2944
            W. Norman
            Participant

              Python is a high-level programming language that is widely used for general-purpose programming. It was first released in 1991. It enables clear programming on both small and large scales.

              Python is used for a wide range of purposes including web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and more. It is a popular language for machine learning and deep learning applications due to its simplicity and ease of use. Python is also used for scripting, automation, and testing.

              Python is widely used in bioinformatics for tasks such as sequence alignment, gene expression analysis, and more. It is a popular language for bioinformatics due to its simplicity and ease of use.

              Learning Python can be beneficial for anyone entering the field of bioinformatics. However, it is not essential to learn Python as there are other programming languages that can be used for bioinformatics tasks.

              Learning programming can be beneficial for biologists in bioinformatics. Programming skills can help biologists to analyze large datasets and automate repetitive tasks. It can also help them to develop new algorithms and tools for data analysis. However, it is not essential to learn programming as there are other tools and software available that can be used for bioinformatics tasks.

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