S-MED: Sarcoma microRNA Expression Database

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89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of over 50 different malignant tumors for which very few diagnostic markers currently exist. MicroRNA (miRNA) transcript levels have been proposed for use in the diagnosis, classification and prognosis of tumors. Over 700 miRNAs are identified in humans and miRNA are considered attractive candidates for developing novel biomarkers in sarcomas. However, miRNA expression patterns found in sarcomas are poorly understood and no central resource exists to contain this information. To systematically address the gap in both biological knowledge and bioinformatics infrastructure, we generated miRNA expression profiles for over 300 tumor tissue samples representing 22 different sarcoma types and developed a web-accessible database to enable facile access to the data. Sarcoma microRNA Expression Database (S-MED) is a repository that describes the patterns of miRNA expression in various human sarcoma types. S-MED provides both basic and advanced data search options for exploration of the data in heat map and text/numerical formats. The database also provides statistical details such as fold changes and P-values for differentially expressed miRNAs in each sarcoma type and corresponding normal tissue. Further, we have experimentally validated differentially expressed miRNAs in angiosarcoma and other sarcoma types. This comprehensive database is the first of its kind specifically devoted to miRNA expression patterns in sarcomas is available through the URL link http://www.oncomir.umn.edu/.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)753-761
Number of pages9
JournalLaboratory Investigation
Volume90
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank Drs Andrew Fire, Clifford Steer, Jaime Modiano, Lei Li, Matt van de Rijn and Reena Kartha for their comments and suggestions. We also thank Dr Amy Skubitz and Sarah Bowell of the tissue procurement facility for their help. The S-MED was developed with funding from Karen Wyckoff Sarcoma Foundation, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. We also acknowledge the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute for providing extensive computational resources (hardware and systems administration support). The S-MED database is available through the URL link http:// www.oncomir.umn.edu/

Keywords

  • Database
  • Expression profiles
  • MiRNA
  • Sarcoma

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