Research applying intelligent systems technology to problem in molecular biology is expanding rapidly. Techniques such as artificial intelligence, neural networks, object-oriented databases, large-scale computer modeling, and robotics are being successfully applied to problems in genetics, protein structure, development, evolution, and many other aspects of biology. The rapid growth in this interdisciplinary research has created a need for infrastructure development and program planning. The preposed meeting will bring together about two-dozen active researchers in the field with representatives of NLM and NSF to discuss issues such as coordination of conferences and publication venues, distribution of research support, interdisciplinary training programs, and the sharing of data and other resources. In addition to facilitating communication, the goal of the meeting is to produce a report describing community needs and a set of standing committees to help address those needs. Intelligent systems technology is relevant to several key problems in the HPCC Program. Directly, advanced software technology and algorithms require intelligent systems technology; and indirectly high performance computing systems will be developed based on novel intelligent software algorithms. This proposal addresses some of the key issues in the problem domain of molecular biology, which have implications in many other problem domains of the HPCC Program.
