OBJECTIVETo provide a set of useful analysis tools for the researchers to explore the microRNA data.

METHODSThe R language was used for generating the Graphical Users Interface and implementing most functions. Some Practical Extraction and Report Language (Perl) scripts were used for parsing source files.

RESULTSWe developed a graphical R package named miRE, which was designated for the analysis of microRNA functions, genomic organization, etc. This package provided effective and convenient tools for molecular biologists to deal with routine analyses in microRNA-related research. With its help, the users would be able to build a desktop-centered microRNA research environment quite easily and effectively. miRE is freely available at http://www. biosino.org/-kanghu/WorkPresentation/miRE/miRE.html. A detailed user manual and tutorials with example code and image are also available.

CONCLUSIONmiRE is a tool providing an open-source, user-friendly, integrated interface for microRNA-related analysis. With its help, researchers can perform microRNA-related analysis more efficiently.