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Wood EC, Glen AK, Kvarfordt LG, Womack F, Acevedo L, Yoon TS, Ma C, Flores V, Sinha M, Chodpathumwan Y, Termehchy A, Roach JC, Mendoza L, Hoffman AS, Deutsch EW, Koslicki D, Ramsey SA. RTX-KG2: a system for building a semantically standardized knowledge graph for translational biomedicine. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:400. [PMID: 36175836 PMCID: PMC9520835 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04932-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomedical translational science is increasingly using computational reasoning on repositories of structured knowledge (such as UMLS, SemMedDB, ChEMBL, Reactome, DrugBank, and SMPDB in order to facilitate discovery of new therapeutic targets and modalities. The NCATS Biomedical Data Translator project is working to federate autonomous reasoning agents and knowledge providers within a distributed system for answering translational questions. Within that project and the broader field, there is a need for a framework that can efficiently and reproducibly build an integrated, standards-compliant, and comprehensive biomedical knowledge graph that can be downloaded in standard serialized form or queried via a public application programming interface (API). RESULTS To create a knowledge provider system within the Translator project, we have developed RTX-KG2, an open-source software system for building-and hosting a web API for querying-a biomedical knowledge graph that uses an Extract-Transform-Load approach to integrate 70 knowledge sources (including the aforementioned core six sources) into a knowledge graph with provenance information including (where available) citations. The semantic layer and schema for RTX-KG2 follow the standard Biolink model to maximize interoperability. RTX-KG2 is currently being used by multiple Translator reasoning agents, both in its downloadable form and via its SmartAPI-registered interface. Serializations of RTX-KG2 are available for download in both the pre-canonicalized form and in canonicalized form (in which synonyms are merged). The current canonicalized version (KG2.7.3) of RTX-KG2 contains 6.4M nodes and 39.3M edges with a hierarchy of 77 relationship types from Biolink. CONCLUSION RTX-KG2 is the first knowledge graph that integrates UMLS, SemMedDB, ChEMBL, DrugBank, Reactome, SMPDB, and 64 additional knowledge sources within a knowledge graph that conforms to the Biolink standard for its semantic layer and schema. RTX-KG2 is publicly available for querying via its API at arax.rtx.ai/api/rtxkg2/v1.2/openapi.json . The code to build RTX-KG2 is publicly available at github:RTXteam/RTX-KG2 .
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Wood
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Amy K Glen
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Lindsey G Kvarfordt
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Finn Womack
- Computer Science and Engineering, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Liliana Acevedo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Timothy S Yoon
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Chunyu Ma
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Veronica Flores
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Meghamala Sinha
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | | | - Arash Termehchy
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Andrew S Hoffman
- Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitalization and Society, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - David Koslicki
- Computer Science and Engineering, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA.,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA.,Department of Biology, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Stephen A Ramsey
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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2
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BIOINTMED: integrated biomedical knowledge base with ontologies and clinical trials. Med Biol Eng Comput 2020; 58:2339-2354. [DOI: 10.1007/s11517-020-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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3
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Navale V, Ji M, Vovk O, Misquitta L, Gebremichael T, Garcia A, Fann Y, McAuliffe M. Development of an informatics system for accelerating biomedical research. F1000Res 2019; 8:1430. [PMID: 32760576 PMCID: PMC7376384 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19161.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Biomedical Research Informatics Computing System (BRICS) was developed to support multiple disease-focused research programs. Seven service modules are integrated together to provide a collaborative and extensible web-based environment. The modules-Data Dictionary, Account Management, Query Tool, Protocol and Form Research Management System, Meta Study, Data Repository and Globally Unique Identifier -facilitate the management of research protocols, to submit, process, curate, access and store clinical, imaging, and derived genomics data within the associated data repositories. Multiple instances of BRICS are deployed to support various biomedical research communities focused on accelerating discoveries for rare diseases, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson's Disease, inherited eye diseases and symptom science research. No Personally Identifiable Information is stored within the data repositories. Digital Object Identifiers are associated with the research studies. Reusability of biomedical data is enhanced by Common Data Elements (CDEs) which enable systematic collection, analysis and sharing of data. The use of CDEs with a service-oriented informatics architecture enabled the development of disease-specific repositories that support hypothesis-based biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Navale
- Office of Intramural Research, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, USA, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Michele Ji
- Office of Intramural Research, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, USA, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Olga Vovk
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, 22030, USA
| | | | | | - Alison Garcia
- Sapient Government Services, Arlington, Virginia, 22201, USA
| | - Yang Fann
- Intramural IT and Bioinformatics Program, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Matthew McAuliffe
- Office of Intramural Research, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, USA, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
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Review: Precision medicine and driver mutations: Computational methods, functional assays and conformational principles for interpreting cancer drivers. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006658. [PMID: 30921324 PMCID: PMC6438456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
At the root of the so-called precision medicine or precision oncology, which is our focus here, is the hypothesis that cancer treatment would be considerably better if therapies were guided by a tumor’s genomic alterations. This hypothesis has sparked major initiatives focusing on whole-genome and/or exome sequencing, creation of large databases, and developing tools for their statistical analyses—all aspiring to identify actionable alterations, and thus molecular targets, in a patient. At the center of the massive amount of collected sequence data is their interpretations that largely rest on statistical analysis and phenotypic observations. Statistics is vital, because it guides identification of cancer-driving alterations. However, statistics of mutations do not identify a change in protein conformation; therefore, it may not define sufficiently accurate actionable mutations, neglecting those that are rare. Among the many thematic overviews of precision oncology, this review innovates by further comprehensively including precision pharmacology, and within this framework, articulating its protein structural landscape and consequences to cellular signaling pathways. It provides the underlying physicochemical basis, thereby also opening the door to a broader community.
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Precision medicine review: rare driver mutations and their biophysical classification. Biophys Rev 2019; 11:5-19. [PMID: 30610579 PMCID: PMC6381362 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-018-0496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
How can biophysical principles help precision medicine identify rare driver mutations? A major tenet of pragmatic approaches to precision oncology and pharmacology is that driver mutations are very frequent. However, frequency is a statistical attribute, not a mechanistic one. Rare mutations can also act through the same mechanism, and as we discuss below, “latent driver” mutations may also follow the same route, with “helper” mutations. Here, we review how biophysics provides mechanistic guidelines that extend precision medicine. We outline principles and strategies, especially focusing on mutations that drive cancer. Biophysics has contributed profoundly to deciphering biological processes. However, driven by data science, precision medicine has skirted some of its major tenets. Data science embodies genomics, tissue- and cell-specific expression levels, making it capable of defining genome- and systems-wide molecular disease signatures. It classifies cancer driver genes/mutations and affected pathways, and its associated protein structural data guide drug discovery. Biophysics complements data science. It considers structures and their heterogeneous ensembles, explains how mutational variants can signal through distinct pathways, and how allo-network drugs can be harnessed. Biophysics clarifies how one mutation—frequent or rare—can affect multiple phenotypic traits by populating conformations that favor interactions with other network modules. It also suggests how to identify such mutations and their signaling consequences. Biophysics offers principles and strategies that can help precision medicine push the boundaries to transform our insight into biological processes and the practice of personalized medicine. By contrast, “phenotypic drug discovery,” which capitalizes on physiological cellular conditions and first-in-class drug discovery, may not capture the proper molecular variant. This is because variants of the same protein can express more than one phenotype, and a phenotype can be encoded by several variants.
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Ogallo W, Friedman C, Kanter AS. Validation of the Behavior of a Knowledge Base Implementing Clinical Guidelines for Point-of-Care Antiretroviral Toxicity Monitoring. AMIA ... ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS. AMIA SYMPOSIUM 2018; 2018:827-836. [PMID: 30815125 PMCID: PMC6371353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the automated detection of antiretroviral toxicities in structured electronic health records data. The evaluation compared responses generated by 5 clinical pharmacists and 1 prototype knowledge-based application for 15 randomly selected test cases. The main outcomes were inter-subject dissimilarity of responses quantified by the Jaccard distance, and the mean proportion of correct responses by each subject. The statistical differences in inter-subject Jaccard distances suggested that the prototype was inferior to clinical pharmacists in the detection of possible antiretroviral toxicity associations from structured data. The reason for dissimilarities was attributable to inadequate domain coverage by the prototype. The differences in the mean proportion of correct responses between the clinical pharmacists and the prototype were statistically indistinguishable. Overall, this study suggests that knowledge-based applications have the potential to support automated detection of antiretroviral toxicities from structured patient records. Furthermore, the study demonstrates a systematic approach for validating such applications quantitatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Ogallo
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Carol Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Andrew S Kanter
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
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7
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Assigning clinical codes with data-driven concept representation on Dutch clinical free text. J Biomed Inform 2017; 69:118-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Koumakis L, Kanterakis A, Kartsaki E, Chatzimina M, Zervakis M, Tsiknakis M, Vassou D, Kafetzopoulos D, Marias K, Moustakis V, Potamias G. MinePath: Mining for Phenotype Differential Sub-paths in Molecular Pathways. PLoS Comput Biol 2016; 12:e1005187. [PMID: 27832067 PMCID: PMC5104320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathway analysis methodologies couple traditional gene expression analysis with knowledge encoded in established molecular pathway networks, offering a promising approach towards the biological interpretation of phenotype differentiating genes. Early pathway analysis methodologies, named as gene set analysis (GSA), view pathways just as plain lists of genes without taking into account either the underlying pathway network topology or the involved gene regulatory relations. These approaches, even if they achieve computational efficiency and simplicity, consider pathways that involve the same genes as equivalent in terms of their gene enrichment characteristics. Most recent pathway analysis approaches take into account the underlying gene regulatory relations by examining their consistency with gene expression profiles and computing a score for each profile. Even with this approach, assessing and scoring single-relations limits the ability to reveal key gene regulation mechanisms hidden in longer pathway sub-paths. We introduce MinePath, a pathway analysis methodology that addresses and overcomes the aforementioned problems. MinePath facilitates the decomposition of pathways into their constituent sub-paths. Decomposition leads to the transformation of single-relations to complex regulation sub-paths. Regulation sub-paths are then matched with gene expression sample profiles in order to evaluate their functional status and to assess phenotype differential power. Assessment of differential power supports the identification of the most discriminant profiles. In addition, MinePath assess the significance of the pathways as a whole, ranking them by their p-values. Comparison results with state-of-the-art pathway analysis systems are indicative for the soundness and reliability of the MinePath approach. In contrast with many pathway analysis tools, MinePath is a web-based system (www.minepath.org) offering dynamic and rich pathway visualization functionality, with the unique characteristic to color regulatory relations between genes and reveal their phenotype inclination. This unique characteristic makes MinePath a valuable tool for in silico molecular biology experimentation as it serves the biomedical researchers' exploratory needs to reveal and interpret the regulatory mechanisms that underlie and putatively govern the expression of target phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefteris Koumakis
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Alexandros Kanterakis
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Evgenia Kartsaki
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Chatzimina
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Michalis Zervakis
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Greece
| | - Manolis Tsiknakis
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Informatics Engineering, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Greece
| | - Despoina Vassou
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Kostas Marias
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vassilis Moustakis
- School of Production Engineering & Management, Technical University of Crete, Greece
| | - George Potamias
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory (CBML), Institute of Computers Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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9
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Systems Analyses Reveal Shared and Diverse Attributes of Oct4 Regulation in Pluripotent Cells. Cell Syst 2015; 1:141-51. [PMID: 27135800 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We combine a genome-scale RNAi screen in mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) with genetic interaction, protein localization, and "protein-level dependency" studies-a systematic technique that uncovers post-transcriptional regulation-to delineate the network of factors that control the expression of Oct4, a key regulator of pluripotency. Our data signify that there are similarities, but also fundamental differences in Oct4 regulation in EpiSCs versus embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Through multiparametric data analyses, we predict that Tox4 is associating with the Paf1C complex, which maintains cell identity in both cell types, and validate that this protein-protein interaction exists in ESCs and EpiSCs. We also identify numerous knockdowns that increase Oct4 expression in EpiSCs, indicating that, in stark contrast to ESCs, Oct4 is under active repressive control in EpiSCs. These studies provide a framework for better understanding pluripotency and for dissecting the molecular events that govern the transition from the pre-implantation to the post-implantation state.
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Regan K, Payne PRO. From Molecules to Patients: The Clinical Applications of Translational Bioinformatics. Yearb Med Inform 2015; 10:164-9. [PMID: 26293863 PMCID: PMC4587059 DOI: 10.15265/iy-2015-005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to realize the promise of personalized medicine, Translational Bioinformatics (TBI) research will need to continue to address implementation issues across the clinical spectrum. In this review, we aim to evaluate the expanding field of TBI towards clinical applications, and define common themes and current gaps in order to motivate future research. METHODS Here we present the state-of-the-art of clinical implementation of TBI-based tools and resources. Our thematic analyses of a targeted literature search of recent TBI-related articles ranged across topics in genomics, data management, hypothesis generation, molecular epidemiology, diagnostics, therapeutics and personalized medicine. RESULTS Open areas of clinically-relevant TBI research identified in this review include developing data standards and best practices, publicly available resources, integrative systemslevel approaches, user-friendly tools for clinical support, cloud computing solutions, emerging technologies and means to address pressing legal, ethical and social issues. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for further research bridging the gap from foundational TBI-based theories and methodologies to clinical implementation. We have organized the topic themes presented in this review into four conceptual foci - domain analyses, knowledge engineering, computational architectures and computation methods alongside three stages of knowledge development in order to orient future TBI efforts to accelerate the goals of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P R O Payne
- Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, FACMI, The Ohio State University, Department of Biomedical Informatics, 250 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA, Tel: +1 614 292 4778, E-mail:
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Nussinov R, Jang H, Tsai CJ. The structural basis for cancer treatment decisions. Oncotarget 2014; 5:7285-302. [PMID: 25277176 PMCID: PMC4202123 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment decisions rely on genetics, large data screens and clinical pharmacology. Here we point out that genetic analysis and treatment decisions may overlook critical elements in cancer development, progression and drug resistance. Two critical structural elements are missing in genetics-based decision-making: the mechanisms of oncogenic mutations and the cellular network which is rewired in cancer. These lay the foundation for the structural basis for cancer treatment decisions, which is rooted in the physical principles of the molecular conformational behavior of single molecules and their interactions. Improved tumor mutational analysis platforms and knowledge of the redundant pathways which can take over in cancer, may not only supplement known actionable findings, but forecast possible cancer progression and resistance. Such forward-looking can be powerful, endowing the oncologist with mechanistic insight and cancer prognosis, and consequently more informed treatment options. Examples include redundant pathways taking over after inhibition of EGFR constitutive activation, mutations in PIK3CA p110α and p85, and the non-hotspot AKT1 mutants conferring constitutive membrane localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, U.S.A
- Sackler Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, U.S.A
| | - Chung-Jung Tsai
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, U.S.A
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Big data analytics in immunology: a knowledge-based approach. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:437987. [PMID: 25045677 PMCID: PMC4090507 DOI: 10.1155/2014/437987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
With the vast amount of immunological data available, immunology research is entering the big data era. These data vary in granularity, quality, and complexity and are stored in various formats, including publications, technical reports, and databases. The challenge is to make the transition from data to actionable knowledge and wisdom and bridge the knowledge gap and application gap. We report a knowledge-based approach based on a framework called KB-builder that facilitates data mining by enabling fast development and deployment of web-accessible immunological data knowledge warehouses. Immunological knowledge discovery relies heavily on both the availability of accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized data and the proper analytics tools. We propose the use of knowledge-based approaches by developing knowledgebases combining well-annotated data with specialized analytical tools and integrating them into analytical workflow. A set of well-defined workflow types with rich summarization and visualization capacity facilitates the transformation from data to critical information and knowledge. By using KB-builder, we enabled streamlining of normally time-consuming processes of database development. The knowledgebases built using KB-builder will speed up rational vaccine design by providing accurate and well-annotated data coupled with tailored computational analysis tools and workflow.
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Slater T. Recent advances in modeling languages for pathway maps and computable biological networks. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:193-8. [PMID: 24444544 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
As our theories of systems biology grow more sophisticated, the models we use to represent them become larger and more complex. Languages necessarily have the expressivity and flexibility required to represent these models in ways that support high-resolution annotation, and provide for simulation and analysis that are sophisticated enough to allow researchers to master their data in the proper context. These languages also need to facilitate model sharing and collaboration, which is currently best done by using uniform data structures (such as graphs) and language standards. In this brief review, we discuss three of the most recent systems biology modeling languages to appear: BEL, PySB and BCML, and examine how they meet these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Slater
- OpenBEL Consortium, One Alewife Center, Suite 100, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA.
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