overt@PRC.UNISYS.COM (05/23/89)
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: CONFERENCE ON
THE MATRIX OF BIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
Aug. 18-19, 1989
White Mountain Conference Center,
Waterville Valley, NH
Biological systems are characterized by complex relationships among
their components. It is becoming increasingly clear that further
rapid advances in our understanding of these systems depends on our
ability to structure, access and analyze the rapidly expanding volume
of experimental data and accumulated knowledge needed to elucidate
these relationships. To that end, a ``Matrix of Biological
Knowledge'' (Bio-Matrix) has been proposed in which all biological
databases would be integrated into a cohesive whole and interfaced to
a knowledge base containing a structured representation of biological
knowledge. The resulting system would be used as the foundation for
the analysis of a range of biological problems. The Bio-Matrix
project requires an interdisciplinary approach combining expertise
from both the biological and computer science communities. This
meeting is designed to explore the issues and approaches towards
implementing the Bio-Matrix and to foster the necessary interchange
among the various computer science and biological disciplines. Topics
to be addressed include:
o Examples and status of current biological databases. DBs
include information resources for biosequences, genetics,
macromolecular structure, systematics, toxicology, etc. and
the associated literature.
o Approaches to database integration. These include the range
from straightforward database merges to integration of multiple
heterogeneous, distributed databases.
o Next generation database systems. Much information of
biological interest, e.g., graphics, pictures, text, and
biosequences, is not well suited to current commercial database
technology. Alternatives such as object-oriented databases,
hypertext and multi-media databases are needed.
o Automation of Knowledge Acquisition. A major stumbling block in
building the Bio-Matrix is the task of entering the enormous
volume of knowledge and data into the system. Methodologies
to overcome this block must be developed.
o Integrating Knowledge-Based/Expert Systems, Database Systems
and Analysis Tools. Analysis of biological problems is
knowledge and data intensive. How should systems be designed
to automate this process?
o Theory of Biological Knowledge Representation and Techniques
for Reasoning in the Biological Domain. How do we
best represent biological knowledge both for task specific
applications and as part of a general theory of biological
knowledge? Many key biological insights have been
driven by reasoning about analogies and homologies in systems both
within and between species. Methods for representing these
relationships and to assist in reasoning about them are central
to the Bio-Matrix concept. Similarly, models of biological
systems can be viewed both as a description of the system and as
a tool for reasoning about the system. As problems of increasing
complexity are addressed by biologists, the need for representing
and reasoning with models becomes more critical.
The conference will be organized as a two day meeting following and
coordinated with the 1989 MacroMolecules, Genes and Computing II
Meeting to be held Aug. 13-17, 1989 at the same site. The Bio-Matrix
Conference will include invited speakers, poster sessions and
workshops. Invited speakers will be chosen on the basis of a short
(less than 500 word) abstract describing their work. All others
attending the meeting are encouraged to submit a poster.
One of the primary aims of the meeting is to foster the dialog between
computer scientists and biologists that is necessary for the success
of the Bio-Matrix project. To that end, workshops will include both
tutorials to educate biologists in the potential benefits of recent
computer science research, and to educate computer scientists in the
front-line problems of interest to the biologists. Proposals for
workshops and tutorials are invited at this time. Again,
proposals should be less than 500 words.
Proposals and abstracts should be submitted by June 15th with
notification of acceptance by July 5th. Acceptance of a proposal or
abstract is not a requirement for attendance, but funding for travel,
room and board will be limited to those selected to present material.
Cost of the meeting is moderate: There is no conference fee and room
and board is approximately $130 per day. We especially encourage the
participation of computer scientists who are interested in working in
the domain of biology to use this opportunity to establish contacts
with biologists. Submit electronically or by mail to:
Dr. G. Christian Overton
Unisys Paoli Research Center
PO Box 517
Paoli, PA 19301
(215) 648-7533
overt@prc.unisys.com