rfaRm

rfaRm provides programmatic client-side access to the Rfam database for retrieval of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) family data, including member sequences, multiple sequence alignments, secondary structures, and covariance models, to support genomic analyses.

Key Features:

• Database search capabilities: Search the Rfam database using keywords or specific sequences to locate RNA families and associated metadata.
• Data retrieval: Retrieve member sequences, multiple sequence alignments, secondary structures, and covariance models for Rfam families.
• Programmatic access: Provide programmatic R-based access to Rfam data for integration into computational genomic workflows.

Scientific Applications:

• Genomic research integration: Incorporate ncRNA family data into broader genomic studies to investigate RNA functions and interactions.
• SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis: Apply Rfam-based ncRNA searches and data retrieval to analyze ncRNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

Methodology:

rfaRm interfaces directly with the Rfam database to execute searches and retrieve data programmatically.