Micro RNA (miRNA) are small RNA sequences of around 22 nucleotides that can bind to mRNA to regulate gene expression. A single miRNA can regulate the expression of more than 1000 genes. miRNAs are key gene expression regulators in humans, but also in many species, from animals to plants. Previous studies have even suggested the possibility of cross species interactions: miRNAs from plants or algae can regulate human genes.
Studying the effect of miRNAs extracted from ingredients on the skin raises two main challenges :
-Targeting mRNA by miRNA depends on complex biochemical mechanisms, some of which are not fully understood today.
-A single miRNA can target hundreds of genes, the downstream effects on actual biological pathways are not self evident.
With TarGen, we use state of the art in-silico methods to identify all the human gene targets for any miRNA (from human, plants or algae…).. TarGen uses machine learning methods based on biochemical models.
The list of miRNA gene targets can be analyzed by our CosmetOmics database to uncover cosmetic pathways regulated by the miRNA.