Researchersin the biological sciencesrequire access to a variety of information sources locatedin variousplacesondifferent computer networks.In order to satisfy the information needsof a researcher, appropriateinformation sources mustbe selected and access to these informationsourcesandthe computingservices supportingthemmustbeprovidedin a waythat doesnot distract the researcherfromproblems of real interest. Atthe Universityof MissouriColumbiaa service-oriented information sources databaseis being developedas a key componentof a layered-model design of an intelligent systemwhichwill providea research environment appropriate to the needs of researchersin the biologicalsciences.
Gordon K. Springer, Timothy B. Patrick