A grid problem solving environment for bioinformatics: The LIBI experience

Problem solving environments (PSEs) are a very useful tool which combines simulation and visualization into a single package. The consequential benefit of such a system is that it facilitates experimentation with minimal additional effort from the user. The integration of grid technology with PSEs is a natural step in this evolution. Finally, the idea of ldquoworkflowrdquo in grid terminology corresponds very closely with how PSEs are generally constructed within e-Science environments. Indeed, workflows are needed for the simulation of complex experiments because they integrate several applications and data that often are distributed and that need careful orchestration. These were the main reasons for adopting the grid PSE technology inside the LIBI virtual laboratory. The goal of this project is setting up an advanced bioinformatics and computational biology laboratory, focusing on basic and applied research in modern biology and biotechnologies. This paper describes the technological solution proposed by the LIBI project with a case study.