Web service modeling for biological processes

Global level analyses of biological systems require the integration and interoperation of various biological models. Such integration and interoperation are usually achieved using customized interfaces. The development of these interfaces often involves a time consuming process. In this paper, we propose to use the combination of ontologies and Web services to model biological entities and their related functions (processes) so that customized interfaces are no longer needed. In this regard, the Web service model provides the ideal architectural and design framework for facilitating the analysis and discovery of biological interactions that are obtained from applications and information sources, which are typically geographically distributed. In our approach, the Web service model is complemented by the use of ontologies to help screen for relevant biological functions so pathways of interactions can be automatically established.