Squid - a simple bioinformatics grid

Background: BLAST is a widely used genetic research tool for analysis of similarity between nucleotide and protein sequences. This paper presents a software application entitled "Squid" that makes use of grid technology. The current version, as an example, is configured for BLAST applications, but adaptation for other computing intensive repetitive tasks can be easily accomplished in the open source version. This enables the allocation of remote resources to perform distributed computing, making large BLAST queries viable without the need of high-end computers. Results: Most distributed computing / grid solutions have complex installation procedures requiring a computer specialist, or have limitations regarding operating systems. Squid is a multiplatform, open-source program designed to "keep things simple" while offering high-end computing power for large scale applications. Squid also has an efficient fault tolerance and crash recovery system against data loss, b...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2005
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Paulo C. Carvalho, Rafael V. Glória, Antonio Basílio de Miranda, Wim M. Degrave
• Keywords: Blast, BMCBI 2005, Distributed Computing, Squid