An agent-based integrated database for rice functional genomics

에이전트 기반의 벼 기능 유전자 통합 데이터베이스

In the field of rice research, insertional mutants have become a valuable resource for studies of gene function. However, a well-designed database yet in the area of rice functional genomics. The relevant data are widely distributed and independently managed by the individual research groups. Heterogeneous data format in the distributed database systems causes many problems related to redundancy and compatibility. In this research, integration of the distributed databases using agent technology is pursued. In particular, a data integration agent, an ontology agent, a comparison agent, and resource agents are designed, whereby the integrated database is maintained. Moreover a framework for the web-based information system, which provides information to biologists and permits biologists to add new data to the database, is proposed. To establish an interoperable data format, an XML-based data model is also developed adopting ontology concept.