Software Tools for Interoperable Taxonomic Databases: The ICTVdB Prototype

该项目将研究新的工具，以改进一个主要生物数据库的数据结构和管理，努力使术语、概念信息和语义内容标准化，这些都是社区数据库的关键问题。早期开发的原型系统将在此阶段导致一个完全进化的分布式系统。通用病毒数据库（ICTVdB）是为国际病毒分类委员会（ICTV）维护的一个先进的生物数据库，可作为原型。一个国际小组将合作开发和测试软件，以便对两个广泛使用的独立专用软件工具进行功能整合和网上访问，这两个工具是为处理分类数据而独立开发的。ICTVdB需要改进和整合的工具是DELTA（分类描述语言）和Micro-IS（微生物信息系统）。通过一个自动将DELTA格式数据转换为Micro-IS格式的转换程序，整合将保留每种格式的独特功能，同时为各种用户群体的不同要求提供最广泛的能力。DELTA及其配套的应用程序，有助于建立自然语言的分类描述，并通过与已知实体的匹配来识别未知生物实体。 Micro-IS是为通过面向对象的数据库引擎存储、管理和分析生物数据而设计的。由此产生的工具将适用于任何试图最有效地利用来自多个层面的信息的生物数据库。该项目的最终目标是提供具有共同标准的软件工具，用作Windows 95/NT桌面和/或基于网络的应用程序。这些将把ICTVdB从一个参考资源转换为一个研究工具，用于研究生殖和进化关系。 这些工具还将加强访问精心策划的病毒学社区数据库，供客户使用，并促进新数据的例行提交。该研究项目的所有产品将提供给其他领域的研究人员，用于现有的应用和进一步的改进。 Abslract 一九九八年七月二十五日 我

This project will research new tools for improved data structures and management of a major biological database in an effort to standardize nomenclature, conceptual information and semantic content, all key problems of community databases. The prototype system developed earlier will lead to a fully evolved, distributed system during this phase. The Universal Virus Database (ICTVdB), an advanced, biological database maintained for the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), serves as the prototype. An international team will collaborate to develop and test software for functional integration and web-based access to two widely used, stand- alone special purpose software tools that have been independently developed to handle taxonomic data. The tools to be refined and integrated for ICTVdB are DELTA (Description Language for Taxonomy) and Micro-IS (Microbial Information System). Integration will preserve the unique features of each, while providing the widest capabilities for disparate requirements of various user groups, through a conversion program that automatically translates DELTA formatted data to Micro-IS format. DELTA, with its supporting suite of applications, facilitates both the building oftaxonomic descriptions in natural language and the identification of unknown biological entities by matching with known entities. Micro-IS is designed for the storage, management, and analysis of biological data via an object oriented database engine. The resultant tools will be applicable to any biological database that seeks to make the most effective use of information from a multitude of levels. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide software tools with common standards to be used as Windows 95/NT desktop and/or web-based applications. These will convert ICTVdB from a reference resource to a research tool for studies of phylogeny and evolutionary relationships. The tools will also enhance access to a well-curated community database in v irology for client use and facilitate routine submission of emerging data. All of the products of this research project will be available to investigators in other fields for existing applications and further enhancements. Abslract July 25, 1998 I