HyPaLib: a database of RNAs and RNA structural elements defined by hybrid patterns

The database, called HyPaLib (for Hybrid Pattern Library), contains annotat ed structural elements characteristic for certain classes of structural and /or functional RNAs. These elements are described in a language specificall y designed for this purpose. The language allows convenient specification o f hybrid patterns, i.e, motifs consisting of sequence features and structur al elements together with sequence similarity and thermodynamic constraints . We are currently developing software tools that allow a user to search se quence databases for any pattern in HyPaLib, thus providing functionality w hich is similar to PROSITE, but dedicated to the more complex patterns in R NA sequences. HyPaLib is available at http://bibiserv.techfak.uni-bielefeld .de/HyPa/.