Advanced data mining and visualisation approaches to systems
biology.

Organisers:

Francisco Azuaje	Reader of the Faculty of Informatics, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, UK. URL: http://ijsr32.infj.ulst.ac.uk/~e10110731/azuaje.html
Joaquin Dopazo	Head of Bioinformatics, Spanish National Cancer Centre – CNIO, Madrid, Spain.

Web site: http://ijsr32.infj.ulst.ac.uk/~e10110731/ESF2003.htm

Background:

Pattern discovery and visualisation are at the centre of many problems and applications in bioinformatics. For example, several algorithms and browsers have been used establish intra- and inter-genome comparisons, classify expression patterns and retrieve relevant information in protein databases. The majority of these solutions are adaptations of models previously applied in different scientific areas. Most of them are based on assumptions about comprehensibility and interestingness that have not been properly evaluated in biological domains. Until now biomolecular data mining has placed emphasis on the automation aspects of algorithms. But relatively little attention has been given to the integration and visualisation of information and models. This workshop aims to promote investigations on the discovery and visualisation of patterns that are novel and understandable for the systems biology research community. Furthermore, because systems biology research rely on the integration of multiple data and knowledge bases, this workshop will discuss solutions for the problems of formulating, displaying and interpreting complex database queries.

There is the necessity to promote the development of novel information visualisation approaches and tools, which should be capable of addressing the requirements of the systems biology paradigm. Biological information visualisation has traditionally consisted of the representation and display of information associated with individual genes or proteins. Although graphical tools have been implemented to visualise more complex information, such as metabolic pathways and genetic networks, they still lack the elements necessary to achieve an understandable integration and interpretation of multiple data and knowledge sources, which are fundamental aspects for facilitating systems biology research.

Designers of most of the existing pattern discovery techniques do not adequately understand the problems inherent in analysing biomolecular and biomedical data. Bioscientists and bioinformaticians should provide the expertise needed to design and validate bioinformatic solutions. Moreover, they can play a central role in the specification of requirements and quality assessment frameworks. Information technology researchers can contribute to the development of pattern discovery and visualisation systems based on their understanding of problems originating from artificial intelligence, information retrieval and distributed computing.

This workshop will provide the basis for the identification of opportunities and strategies to satisfy some of the demands of biologists and bioinformaticians in relation to pattern discovery and visualisation. Furthermore, it will foster the establishment of new collaborations between biologists, bioinformaticians and computer scientists in the areas discussed above.

Venue:

The workshop will be held at University of Ulster (UU, http://www.ulst.ac.uk) Jordanstown campus, Northern Ireland, U.K. The workshop venue is located approximately 20 miles from Belfast International Airport (BFS) and 3 miles from Belfast City Airport (BHD).

Dates:

13th – 15th of November, 2003

List of speakers:

see web site

Programme:

Attendance:

A maximum of 30 researchers from the academia and industry will participate in this workshop, including 12 invited speakers.

Selection of participants will be made on the basis of their expertise and track record, as well as their affinity with the problems to be discussed in this workshop. Priority will be given to participants from countries which financially support the ESF Programme.

Registration:

closed