How to use online tools to generate new hypotheses for mammary gland biology research: a case study forWnt7b

Abstract

An increasing number of ‘-omics’ datasets, generated by labs all across the world, are becoming available. They contain a wealth of data that are largely unexplored. Not every scientist, however, will have access to the required resources and expertise to analyze such data from scratch. Luckily, a growing number of investigators is dedicating their time and effort to the development of user friendly, online applications that allow researchers to use and investigate these datasets. Here, we will illustrate the usefulness of such an approach.Using regulation of Wnt7b as an example, we will highlight a selection of accessible tools and resources that are available to researchers in the area of mammary gland biology. We show how they can be used for in silico analyses of gene regulatory mechanisms, resulting in new hypotheses and providing leads for experimental follow up. We also call out to the mammary gland community to join forces in a coordinated effort to generate and share additional tissue-specific ‘-omics’ datasets and thereby expand the in silico toolbox.

Unraveling the Breast: Advances in Mammary Biology and Cancer Methods

“…This provides the immense potential for scientists to boost their studies, as long as they have the skills and expertise to work with such databases. In their timely article, van de Grift and colleagues [ 20 ] share useful tips for mining large “omics” datasets using online tools. Using the example of the Wnt7b gene, the authors demonstrate how these tools can be used to generate new hypotheses and answer biological questions in silico.…”