To start using EpimiRBase just input your query in the search box on the top of the EpiMirBase page (for example, “miR-132”). The search field returns results dynamically and can handle mixed and partial queries (for example, “132”, “brain”, “132 brain”).

In Advanced Search the database can be filtered by: microRNA, regulation, type of study, species, publication or expression details. Results that have been filtered with drop-downs can be further refined using the search field or vice-versa.

Profiling: Studies in which large numbers of microRNA were analyzed simultaneously using platforms such as microarray, HT RT-qPCR or RNAseq.

Expression analysis: Studies in which expression of individual microRNA has been measured or validated, for example using a Taqman miRNA assay.

Functional: Studies in which evidence is provided of active loading of a microRNA into the RISC (e.g. using Ago2 pull-down analysis) or where the level of a microRNA has been manipulated in vivo (either using oligonucleotide-based approaches such as antagomirs or through genetic tools such as overexpression in a transgenic mouse).

MirGeneDB: There has been concern that many of the sequences in miRBase are not derived from bona fide microRNA genes. MirGeneDB is a recently published database of manually curated and highly supported bona fide microRNAs (Fromm et al., 2015). For example, of the 1,881 human microRNAs listed in miRBase, only 523 meet the standards for microRNA annotation in MirGeneDB. If you click on the MirGeneDB link and it does not link to a microRNA, and your microRNA is either from human or mouse, then your microRNA may not in fact be a bona fide microRNA. There are currently no entries for rat, however, these will apparently be added soon.