The BioRS(TM) Integration and Retrieval System: An open system for distributed data integration

Abstract

Modern academic and industrial research in life sciences generates huge amounts of data and information. To extract knowledge from this information space, optimized integration and retrieval software tools are essential. In the last years, a number of academic as well as commercial systems have been developed to solve this problem. However, as scientific projects are distributed at different locations (e.g., subsidiaries of companies, academic partnerships), data exchange and availability must be realized in a way that avoids data replication. In this article, we describe a global solution for integrating distributed information by applying the BioRSTM Integration and Retrieval System and its inter-BioRS communication capability that goes beyond the standard issue of local data integration. Each site integrates and maintains locally generated data using a local copy of the BioRS software. Applying the inter-BioRS communication, all available BioRS instances can communicate with each other realizing a global network of integrated databanks. All databanks integrated in this network can be accessed from any site without any data replication. This open system allows the addition of new information and sites dynamically. However, access privileges for certain databanks can be maintained on a per user and databank level ensuring data security when required.