Since 2008, SWAT4LS is a workshop that has provided a platform for the presentation and discussion of the benefits and limits of applying web-based information systems and semantic technologies in Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology. Growing steadily each year as Semantic Web applications become more widespread, SWAT4LS has been in Edinburgh 2008, Amsterdam 2009, Berlin 2010 and London (2011).
SWAT4LS aims at providing an open and stimulating environment that brings together researchers, both developers and users, from the various fields of Biology, Bioinformatics and Computer Science, to discuss goals, current limits and real experiences in the use of Semantic Web technologies in Life Sciences. SWAT4LS workshops are typically very interactive and are accompanied by tutorials and an hackathon.
In 2012 we are organizing a SWAT4LS school, which will articulate a program of courses over several days, and will provide a much more practical experience than it’s possible in the context of the workshop-associated tutorials.
The next edition of SWAT4LS will be organized in late 2012.