| NETTAB 2007 on A Semantic Web for Bioinformatics | |
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Italy - PI - Pisa |
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| Hosted by: | Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa, Pisa |
| Venue: | Aula Gerace, Dept Computer Science, University of Pisa |
| Dates: | Jun 12, 2007 through Jun 15, 2007 |
| Call for Posters: | 2007-12-01 through 2007-05-08 |
| Early Registration Deadline: | 2007-05-18 |
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Description |
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| Scientific Programme Overview NETTAB 2007 workshop intends to focus on the Semantic Web, as it is defined in the action statements of the WorldWideWeb Consortium (W3C) (see http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/) and in its possible uses in bioinformatics. It therefore aims at: - introducing the basic knowledge of related standards and technologies, in a non trivial way through invited lectures - outlining the promising features of the semantic web in bioinformatics through invited lectures and open discussion - showing some valuable examples in bioinformatics through invited lectures, oral communications and posters - allowing for as much discussion as possible through open discussions and a panel discussion - demonstrating "how it works" practically through tutorials For these reasons, the workshop will include: - invited lectures on technological issues, perspectives and examples in bioinformatics - oral communications on applications, tools and examples in bioinformatics - a panel discussion on perspectives of the Semantic Web in bioinformatics - a poster session - tutorials, both on implementation of tools and technologies and on the best practice in bioinformatics Note that, starting from this edition, NETTAB workshops will also include special sessions devoted both to the general theme of the series of workshops, i.e. "Network Tools and Applications in Biology", and on further topics selected by local organizers. This year, you are therefore welcome to submit your work on any of the followings topics: - Main focus theme: Semantic Web applications in bioinformatics - Adjunct focus themes: Algorithms in bioinformatics and Formal Methods for Systems Biology - General theme: Network Tools and Applications in Bioinformatics GOALS Biological information is increasing at an impressive rate. An integrated access to this huge amount of information requires complex searching and retrieval software. In particular, this integration activity is concerned with how to link data, how to select and extract information and how to pipe retrieval and analysis steps. This automated approach requires the adoption of new technologies and tools and their applications in the bioinformatics domain. Some reference points have already been assessed or are now emerging: the adoption of XML schemas for the creation of the models of the information, the definition of XML based languages for data representation and exchange, the implementation of Web Services for the interoperability of software aiming to an automated access to data and analysis tools, the creation of computerised pipelines and workflows for the definition and automated execution of both basic and complex analysis processes of interest to the researchers. Workflow enactment portals can also bring some added value by allowing all researchers, even the non expert ones, access to automated processes. However, while these first steps towards integration of data and automation of real processes have been made, little has been made for supporting semantic integration. What we need are common definitions of knowledge domains, e.g. ontologies, association of biological concepts to existing data, metadata information describing all information sources and searching tools that are able to make the best use of this additional information. The definition of common ontologies and their application to software and database tools may be seen as a first, needed attempt to organize the information, overcoming heterogeneity of data structures, but the problem of associating the huge amount of information included in existing databases and information sources with concepts defined in these ontologies is a big one. Anyway, the addition of semantic contents in current databases would give an essential contribution to the best integration of biological distributed information. At the same time, the development of metadata for biological information, on the basis of Semantic Web standards and tools, and its definition for all information sources, not only databases, can also be seen as a promising approach for a future, semantic based integration of biological information. Text mining is of a fundamental importance in research since literature is still the most relevant information source in biomedical research. It is the most evident example of an unstructured information source whose content should be integrated with structured data in order to achieve the best results. TOPICS Goals: - Roles and uses of ontologies in knowledge discovery, text analysis and data mining - Expected results of adoption of Semantic Web tools in Bioinformatics Standards, Technologies, Tools: - Semantic Web standards (RDF, OWL, .) - RDF Schemas and Query systems - Biomedical Ontologies and related tools - Formal approaches to large biomedical controlled terminologies and vocabularies Systems: - RDF repositories and query systems for life sciences - Semantically aware biomedical Web Services - Semantic Biological Data Integration Systems Existing and perspective applications: - Case studies, use cases, and scenarios - Semantic Web applications in life sciences |
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| Additional Information | |
| Event URL: | http://www.nettab.org/2007/ |
| ISCB Member Discount: | 10 percent |
| Contact Person: | Paolo Romano ([javascript protected email address]) |
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