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Interoperability of bioinformatics resources

Hiten Vyas (Research School of Informatics, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
Ron Summers (Research School of Informatics, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)

VINE

ISSN: 0305-5728

Article publication date: 1 September 2005

557

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to supply an introduction to the bioinformatics discipline for information professionals, outlining how current information management issues are hampering the effective integration and interoperability of resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is to outline some of the more challenging issues to illustrate their consequences, such as syntactic and semantic heterogeneity, data storage formats and media, and the existence of inconsistencies in information content in bioinformatics resources. A discussion of these topics indicates how semantic web concepts and technologies, together with e‐science initiatives, can be used to address these problems.

Findings

The paper reveals that, if one considers the use of semantic web technologies such as XML and ontologies for the development of information standards that allows integration of different information systems, these systems could then be placed into applications such as web services and GRIDS tailored for biological studies. Such applications would provide automated functionality for database integration, workflow management, inclusion of provenance data, and notification of services.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is that it exemplifies how information professionals can make an impact on the discipline of bioinformatics, which historically has not been addressed by experts with information skills.

Keywords

Citation

Vyas, H. and Summers, R. (2005), "Interoperability of bioinformatics resources", VINE, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 132-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720510634199

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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