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Semantic Web meets Integrative Biology: a survey
Huajun Chen1, Tong Yu, Jake Y Chen
1College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P.R. China. huajunsir@zju.edu.cn
Briefings in Bioinformatics
|April 12, 2012
Summary
Integrative biology (IB) faces bioinformatics challenges in data, ontology, knowledge, and service integration. Semantic Web (SW) technologies offer solutions for global, interoperable, and standardized interdisciplinary integration in IB.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Semantic Web Technologies
Background:
- Integrative Biology (IB) characterizes biological systems across multiple levels using quantitative technologies.
- IB necessitates integrating data, knowledge, and capabilities across diverse scientific disciplines to address complex problems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key bioinformatics challenges in interdisciplinary integration within Integrative Biology.
- To explore the potential of Semantic Web (SW) technologies in addressing these integration challenges.
- To demonstrate the application of SW technologies for building standardized and interoperable solutions in IB.
Main Methods:
- Identification of bioinformatics problems in data, ontology, knowledge, and service integration.
- Review of Semantic Web technologies and their capabilities for data sharing and interoperability.
- Presentation of case studies from systems biology, integrative neuroscience, biopharmaceutics, and translational medicine.
Main Results:
- Specific bioinformatics challenges include data, ontology, knowledge, and service integration.
- Semantic Web technologies provide a framework for creating a meaningful and computer-understandable web of data.
- SW applications enable open, standardized, and interoperable solutions for global interdisciplinary integration in IB.
Conclusions:
- Semantic Web technologies are crucial for overcoming bioinformatics integration hurdles in Integrative Biology.
- SW facilitates the creation of a global, interconnected web of biological data and knowledge.
- The application of SW in IB leads to enhanced collaboration and problem-solving across disciplines.
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