Automating Biology using Robot Scientists

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• Prof. Ross King, Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University
• Monday 14 March 2011, 16:00-17:00
• UG40, School of Computer Science.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Leandro Minku.

A Robot Scientist is a physically implemented robotic system that applies techniques from artificial intelligence to execute cycles of automated scientific experimentation. A Robot Scientist can automatically execute cycles of: hypothesis formation, selection of efficient experiments to discriminate between hypotheses, execution of experiments using laboratory automation equipment, and analysis of results. We have developed the Robot Scientist “Adam” to investigate yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) functional genomics. Adam has autonomously identified genes encoding locally “orphan” enzymes in yeast. This is the first time a machine has discovered novel scientific knowledge. To describe Adam’s research we have developed an ontology and logical language. Use of these produced a formal argument involving over 10,000 different research units that relates Adam’s 6.6 million biomass measurements to its conclusions. We are now developing the Robot Scientist “Eve” to automate drug screening and QSAR development.

This talk is part of the Artificial Intelligence and Natural Computation seminars series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Artificial Intelligence and Natural Computation seminars
• Computer Science Departmental Series
• Computer Science Distinguished Seminars
• UG40, School of Computer Science

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