An environment to define and execute in-silico workflows using Web Services

Abstract

Scientific workflows represent an attractive alternative to describe bioinformatics experiments. They give an adequate support to the "Execution and Analysis" cycle, relevant to the process of knowledge discovery. Workflows can create an independent and interoperable environment between the scientific applications and databases, when combined with the Web Services technology. Despite the successful use of these technologies in the business scenario, its use in bioinformatics is still incipient. This work presents an integrated environment that aims at the definition and execution of in silica experiments through scientific workflows using Web services. A real bioinformatics experiment was implemented in this environment. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.