Machine learning in RNA structure prediction: Advances and challenges.

Journal: Biophysical journal
Published Date:

Abstract

RNA molecules play a crucial role in various biological processes, with their functionality closely tied to their structures. The remarkable advancements in machine learning techniques for protein structure prediction have shown promise in the field of RNA structure prediction. In this perspective, we discuss the advances and challenges encountered in constructing machine learning-based models for RNA structure prediction. We explore topics including model building strategies, specific challenges involved in predicting RNA secondary (2D) and tertiary (3D) structures, and approaches to these challenges. In addition, we highlight the advantages and challenges of constructing RNA language models. Given the rapid advances of machine learning techniques, we anticipate that machine learning-based models will serve as important tools for predicting RNA structures, thereby enriching our understanding of RNA structures and their corresponding functions.

Authors

  • Sicheng Zhang
    University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
  • Jun Li
    Department of Emergency, Zhuhai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Zhuhai, 519020, Guangdong Province, China. quanshabai43@163.com.
  • Shi-Jie Chen
    Department of Physics and Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. Electronic address: chenshi@missouri.edu.