Research

The VL-e project has four programme lines, most of them containing more than one subprogramme. These programme lines structure the research and facilitate the dissemination of results:

• P1 e-Science in applications
  
• P2 Generic Virtual Laboratory methodology
  
• P3 Large-scale distributed systems
  
• P4 Scaling up & validating in 'real-life applications'

P1 e-Science in applications

• The objective of this research programme line is to create several research prototypes of advanced e–Science application specific Problem Solving Environments (PSEs) in the area of food science, medical science, telescience, data intensive computing, bioinformatics and biodiversity. All cases will be based on the VL-e generic part of the PSE and the facilities and functionalities it provides. The research prototypes will be further developed towards proof-of-concepts and will act as a driver for key research areas in the generic Virtual Laboratory programme line and, as such, provide suitable field tests.

P2 Generic Virtual Laboratory methodology

• This research programme line develops the fundamental knowledge for the Virtual Laboratory. It focuses on generic methodologies for e-Science such as problem solving, adaptive information disclosure, visualization and user interface, information systems and systems integration. It will apply and test them in the various applications, with the purpose of validating and improving the functionality and performance of the methodologies.

P3 Large-scale distributed systems

• The focus of this research line is on fundamental knowledge development in the area of large-scale distributed computer systems based, among other things on high performance networking and Grid technology.

P4 Scaling up to & validating in ‘real-life applications’

• The objective of this research line is to carry out field tests for evaluation and scaling up of the proof-of-concept environments under several well-chosen real-life conditions. Two environments (test beds) will be developed for field-testing with the aim of evaluating the methods and tools developed in this project and of integrating methods and tools developed elsewhere. These test beds will be large-scale experimental environments; one will be nationwide, one will be on an international scale.