Abstract

Bioinformatics has already entered into its post genomic era, where research has advanced from data collection to data analysis using advanced computational and analytical tools. Due to current high demands on bioinformatics data, the various shortcomings in the computing infrastructure associated with the handling and processing of such biological data has constituted a great challenge. In this paper, effort was made at developing and describing a prototype of a new-generation computing framework known as the hybrid-grid-based computing framework for bioinformatics (HGCFB), with the aim of maintaining, sharing, discovering, and expanding bioinformatics knowledge in geographically distributed environments. This paper proposed the system architecture of a prototype hybrid-grid-based computing framework for bioinformatics (HGCFB), and described its corresponding functionalities. Attempts were also made at implementing some aspects of this framework with an event driven programming language. This framework will be very useful in facilitating the effective, efficient use and management of bioinformatics databases and resources.

Key words: Bioinformatics, biological databases and resources, computing infrastructure, hybrid -grid-based framework.