Development of a Database Management System to Enable Rapid, Efficient Assay Design for Use in Detection and Diagnosis of Human Exposure to Biological

The primary objective of this effort is to design and develop a database management system (DBMS) and enable the integrated interpretation of the vast amounts of genomic and proteomic data in proper biological context. This DBMS will enable the development of diagnostic assays for human exposure to specific biological threat agents using an existing suite of systems biology tools. The DBMS design will be clearly described, and it will manage diverse data types based on the principles of minimum information about a microarray experiment (MIAME). Demonstration of the database for data storage/retrieval/querying will be performed with an example assay design using the systems biology approach to interpret biological data in context. Successful completion of the Phase I effort will generate a DBMS containing a suite of tools enabling analysis from a systems biology-centered approach, providing a rational basis for designing assays. In Phase II, the project scope will be expanded to include additional data types, a GUI, links to relevant online databases, and validation of the systems biology centered methodologies will be undertaken. A multi-disciplinary team has been assembled, and this project will benefit from multiple, ongoing efforts utilizing in-house systems biology tools to understand cellular response to neurotoxins.