overt@PRC.UNISYS.COM (10/10/88)
The ``Matrix of Biological Knowledge'' (Bio-Matrix) proposal addresses the pressing need to organize and intelligently access the wealth of biomedical data and knowledge that confronts researchers. To succeed, the Bio-Matrix project will require the fusion of information retrieval, database and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as considerable insight into the structure of biomedical knowledge. We are trying to assess the current status of on-going work which falls within the scope of the Bio-Matrix by compiling a list of active and planned projects. This information will be used in defining both short- and long-term goals for the Bio-Matrix project, including funding recommendations and conference planning. In particular, a Bio-Matrix conference is being planned for late summer of 1989 and this survey will help to identify topic areas and potential speakers. If your research is related to the Matrix or more broadly to biological informatics, please send a short description of your project to me either by e-mail or regular mail. If possible, include your source of funding since this will be used to gain support for the conference from various funding agencies. Planning for the conference will begin soon so please reply ASAP. Among the topics of interest are: o Access to distributed, heterogeneous databases. o Integration of individual databases into a single database. o Multi-media information systems. o Expert systems. o Knowledge based management systems approaches. o Integrating DBMS and analysis tools (e.g., integrating sequence analysis tools with biosequence databases). o Knowledge representation in the biomedical domain. o A.I. approaches to analysis of biological problems. o Automation of information understanding and database entry. The list will be included as an appendix to the report of the Bio-Matrix Advisory Committee Meeting and will be updated periodically. If you would like a copy of the list, notify me by e-mail. If there is sufficient interest, I will post the list to the Bio-Matrix news group. My address is: G. Christian Overton Unisys/PRC P.O.Box 517 Rt. 252 & Central Ave. Paoli, PA 19301 USA (215) 648-7533 arpanet: overt@prc.unisys.com