Database system including computer code for predictive cellular bioinformatics

Abstract

According to the present invention, computer based techniques for using information technology in therapeutics or drug discovery. In an exemplary embodiment, computer based techniques for determining information about the properties of substances based upon information about structure of living or non-living cells exposed to substances are provided. Computer software according to the present invention enables researchers and/or scientists to identify promising candidates in the search for new and better medicines or treatments using, for example, a cellular informatics database.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
     
     
         49 . A method of characterizing the effect of a stimulus on a cell type, the method comprising: 
 (a) exposing a first sample of a cell type to a stimulus under a first set of conditions;    (b) exposing a second sample of the cell type to the stimulus under a second set of conditions;    (c) imaging cells of the first and second samples;    (d) extracting first features from one or more images of the first sample and second features from one or more images of the second sample; and    (e) analyzing features extracted from images of the cells of both the first sample and the second sample to assess the effect of the stimulus on the cell type.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein analyzing features from images of the cells of both the first sample and the second sample comprises combining features from images of the first and second samples prior to assessing the effect of the stimulus.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the first set of conditions comprises contacting the first sample with a first marker, and wherein the second set of conditions comprises contacting the second sample with a second marker.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the markers comprises a marker for DNA.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the markers comprises a marker for tubulin.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the markers comprises a marker for Golgi.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the stimulus is exposure to a compound.