BioGPS has become the valuable resource that it is because of the contributions from our wonderful user community. Thank you for contributing plugins, suggestions, and ideas–all of which have improved BioGPS for everyone. In order to celebrate the contributions of BioGPS users to the scientific research community, this series will feature publications and articles generated by BioGPS users. We sincerely hope you will join us in celebrating the fascinating work that YOU do.

This week, we will feature an article that will be of interest to anyone studying molecular cytogenetics or clinical genomics In silico molecular cytogenetics: a bioinformatic approach to prioritization of candidate genes and copy number variations for basic and clinical genome research by Ivan Y Iourov, Svetlana G Vorsanova, and Yuri B Yurov.

Dr. Ivan Y Iourov, the first author of this paper and one of the principal investigators, kindly answered our inquiries for this series.

1. Who is the team behind the work that was published in In silico molecular cytogenetics: a bioinformatic approach to prioritization of candidate genes and copy number variations for basic and clinical genome research?.
   • Prof. Ivan Y Iourov — head of lab of molecular brain genetics at Research Center for Mental Health, Moscow, Russia.
   • Prof. Svetlana G. Vorsanova — head of lab of molecular cytogenetics of neuropsychiatric diseases at Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov, Separated Structural Unit “Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics”, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
   • Prof. Yuri B. Yurov — head of lab of cytogenetics and genomics of psychiatrics diseases at Research Center for Mental Health, Moscow, Russia.

 

2. What inspired the work published in In silico molecular cytogenetics: a bioinformatic approach to prioritization of candidate genes and copy number variations for basic and clinical genome research?
   We have long performed this work for developing an applicable bioinformatic approach for molecular cytogenetics. Since molecular cytogenetics lacks truly useful bioinformatic approaches towards gene prioritization solely on the basis of molecular cytogenetic data, this approach was considered as highly required. The need of such approaches in molecular cytogenetic research and practice was the main source of our inspiration.

 

3. Please provide a brief summary of the findings reported in your article, In silico molecular cytogenetics: a bioinformatic approach to prioritization of candidate genes and copy number variations for basic and clinical genome research.
   We have developed a bioinformatic approach to prioritization of candidate genes and CNV based on analysis of genomic/epigenetic/proteomic and metabolomic databases/online tools has been proposed. This molecular cytogenetic and bioinformatic technique is useful for genotype-phenotype correlations, elucidating disease mechanisms, and developing personalized molecular therapy. Finally, the application of this method allowed us a speculation about perspectives of in silico molecular cytogenetics.

 

4. How did the team learn about BioGPS?
   We have used BioGPS in our research practice for quite a long time. Some years ago, we looked for a more-or-less handy and applicable gene expression resource and we choose BioGPS. To be more exact, our work published in 2009 (Iourov IY et al. Increased chromosome instability dramatically disrupts neural genome integrity and mediates cerebellar degeneration in the ataxia-telangiectasia brain. Hum Mol Genet. 2009; 18(14):2656-69) has included some data retrieved and analyzed by BioGPS.

 

5. How did your team utilize BioGPS in this research?
   BioGPS is the essential portal for our bioinformatic analyses requiring evaluations of gene expression. It is a kind of everyday use.

 

6. What are some future directions for the team behind this research?
   We plan to continue the use of our molecular cytogenetic bioinformatic technique for evaluating different types of chromosomal pathology, genomic reengagements and instability. Moreover, we would like to develop an online tool or software, which allows analyzing larger sets of molecular cytogenetic data using these in silico molecular cytogenetic approach.

 

Thanks again to Dr. Ivan Y Iourov for taking the time to answer our questions. Click here to read their fascinating article. Have a look because these awesome researchers have made their compelling research open access. Not only can you read the whole exciting article for free, you may even find their approach useful for your own research!

Used BioGPS and cited it in your publication? Let us know! We would love to feature YOUR work, no matter how long ago it was published. BioGPS Featured Article Series only started recently, but we know your contributions to science is ongoing.