SIB: Database and Tool for the Integration and Browsing of Large Scale Image Hhigh-Throughput Screening Data

Data management has become one of the central issues in high-throughput biological screening. In particular high-throughput screening (HTS), applying automated microscopy, requires a system which is capable of storing and analyzing vast amounts of image and numeric data. These data include comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules, the targeted genes, and images as well as their extracted data matrices after acquisition. Here we present a Web-based bioinformatics solution for the management of images from different screening microscopes: the screening image browser (SIB). The following points describe this tool as well as an image retrieval mechanism, both working as a framework for browsing and analyzing screening information. A major outcome of this database is a unique, fully operational, distributed digital library of screening image data accessible to researchers. SIB is a scientific database that enables effective data management accessible through a standard Web-browser interface. The application utilizes a robust security architecture and is designed for efficient data exploration