BioSYNTHESIS: Integrating Multiple Databases into a Virtual Database.
Naomi C. Broering, Helen E. Bagdoyan, Jeffrey S. Hylton, John H. Strickler · PubMed Central · 1989
BioSYNTHESIS is a front-end retrieval system under development as part of the IAIMS project at Georgetown University. It is designed to achieve system integration of multiple IAIMS databases maintained at Georgetown so they appear as a “virtual database” to users. The aim is to create an integrated system that enables users to easily retrieve information from various databases residing on disparate computers. The project work has been divided in two phases: BioSYNTHESIS I, development of a single menu to access various databases which reside on different computers; and BioSYNTHESIS II, development of a search component that facilitates complex searching for the user. BioSYNTHESIS I is currently available to users, and BioSYNTHESIS II is in an early stage of development. The design work will continue as a multiyear technical research effort of the Georgetown IAIMS Implementation Project. Plans are to release portions of BioSYNTHESIS II during the project period as components become available.