DiaComp IT Infrastructure
Our programming paradigm is to develop software systems based on an n-tier architecture,
where we create the presentation layer, business logic and data layer into separate
software systems. These systems have been developed to minimize maintenance, but
provide a robust scalable model for future growth and interactions at the national
level with other organism databases. These systems have been designed using the
unified modeling language (UML) with the designs available to the general public.
The two UML modeling tools we use are Rational Rose and Powerdesigner.
DiaComp Data Model
The core relational data model for the DiaComp was created using SQL Server 2000 and
was based on a number of existing schemas containing our key subject areas: animal
models, genotypes (including array experiment data), histopathology, and phenotype
Assays. The Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium (MMHCC) and the Jackson Labs
were particularly helpful, and shared several successful models. Currently DiaComp
Data Model has been migrated to SQL Server 2005 and has been modified to include
MMPC (National Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Centers) Data Schema. The current version
of the database addresses several domains, including DiaComp - MMPC administration,
models, strains, publications, external database references, experiments, phenotype
assays, microarray data, histology, images and dataset persistence. Current data
model has 250 tables, 55 functions, 994 stored procedures, 141 data views and a
total of 9344 lines of code.
DiaComp Administration Data Model
DiaComp Science Data Model
* Note: Above links require Internet Explorer version 5.0 or above to view Data Model
with Zoom capability. Also please make sure to accept ActiveX warning to start viewer.
Viewer has links to different data schemas on Navigation Dropdown Box, you will need to click go Next to the Links
to load different schema.
DiaComp Object Model
The DiaComp Object Model (DiaComp-OM) created for the consortium fully describes the
activities of the DiaComp and provides an
OOP API to access the data generated by
the consortium. The DiaComp-OM was designed using Powerdesigner and UML, written in
C# and compiled as a .NET DLL. The object model contains both administrative and
domain specific classes. However, only the data centric classes are available to
the public. The Domain classes provide both object specific classes (e.g. Model,
Strain, Experiment, Protocol, etc.) as well as DataManager and SearchCriteria classes
used to retrieve data from the system. These DataManager classes are specific for
each of the data types maintained by DiaComp.
For example, the StrainMgr class provides
methods to retrieve strain specific data. The SearchCriteria classes are also datatype
specific and are used by the DataManager classes to query the database using different
type specific parameters. For example, the StrainSearchCriteria class provides queryable
properties specific for the Strain data in the system.
DiaComp Object model base was modified to add MMPC (National Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping
Centers) schema. Currently common object model for both consortium contains classes
to serve DiaComp and MMPC consortium web portals.
In order to provide the broadest access to the data, we are also creating a WebService
that exposes specific portions fo the DiaComp-OM to the public. Specifically, the
WebService will provide access to all the object specific classes as well as the
DataManager and SearchCriteria classes. This provides a mechanisms for programmers
to create local DiaComp-OM objects in other languages. The current version of the
DiaComp-OM has 185 object classes.
DiaComp-Web Services
The DiaComp Web Services layer exposes classes and methods of the DiaComp object model
which can be used by users to interact with the DiaComp object model using custom
built web applications or even without a user interface. Details about the interfaces
are provided to users through an XML document called a Web Services Description
Language (WSDL) document. There are several tools available to read a WSDL file
and generate the code required to communicate with an XML Web service including
a very capable "Add Web Reference" tool used in Microsoft Visual Studio. DiaComp web
services layer makes available public data search and retrieval methods for animals,
strains, experiments, histology images, investigators, phenotype assays and publications.
The exposed web service methods can be consumed through customized client ASP.NET
applications using SOAP calls or through traditional HTTP GET/POST METHODS without
the use of an API. The framework has been designed to be independent of any particular
programming model and other implementation specific semantics. A complete documentation
for each of the web service methods is available providing information about data
return type, input parameters and exceptions thrown. In addition, users may choose
to download a zipped Visual Studio 2008 solution file containing a sample ASP .NET
client application and C# class library project.
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