Speaker: Kurt Stockinger (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)
Title: INODE – Intelligent Open Data Exploration Applied to Astrophysics and Bioinformatics
Abstract:
What do astrophysics and bioinformatics have in common? 
 
Both domains are very data-intensive and store most of their knowledge in large databases. While in astrophysics data is typically stored in relational databases, bioinformatics data is often stored in graph databases. To query these databases, end-users need to know the formal query languages SQL or SPARQL as well as the logical structure of the databases. However, even for technology experts it is very challenging to write the right queries to retrieve the desired data. Hence, a large part of the end-users is basically not able to effectively query their databases. 
 
In this talk we discuss how we tackle these challenges in the EU-Project INODE – Intelligent Open Data Exploration. We will show how we have built various natural language interfaces for databases using pattern-based and machine learning approaches to significantly increase the productivity of scientists and knowledge workers when interacting with databases. We demonstrate that our system is uniquely accessible to a wide range of users from large scientific communities to the public. Finally, we elaborate on the lessons learned when developing such a system and how scientists can adapt our solutions for exploring their own databases in natural language.