Database system for predictive cellular bioinformatics

The present description includes examples of computer codes, which may be used to implement aspects of the present invention. Assignee of the present invention reserves all rights with respect to these codes and provides notice herein. Notice is hereby given ® Cytokinetics, Inc. 1999. A system for acquiring knowledge from cellular information. The system has a database comprising a database management module ("DBMS"). The system also has a variety of modules, including a population module coupled to the DBMS for categorizing and storing a plurality of features (e.g., cell size, distance between cells, cell population, cell type) from an image acquisition device into the database. The system has a translation module coupled to the DBMS for defining a descriptor from a set of selected features from the plurality of features. In a specific embodiment, the descriptor is for a known or unknown compound, e.g., drug. A prediction module is coupled to the DBMS for selecting one of a plurality of a descriptors from known and unknown compounds from the database based upon a selected descriptor from a selected compound. The selected compound may be one that is useful for treatment of human beings or the like.