Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for managing dares electronically submitted over a computer network. A dare to be issued to a dare recipient is received electronically. A minimum pledge level necessary to guarantee the performance of the dare is indicated by the dare recipient. An electronic monetary pledge in support of the dare is received from at least one dare pledger. Conditions under which the dare must be performed are generated either before or after the minimum pledge level is reached. Electronic proof of the completion of the dare is received from the dare recipient. Permission to view the electronic proof of the completion of the dare is issued to the dare pledger. At least some of the electronic monetary pledge is issued to the dare recipient.

Abstract: A bioinformatics system and method is provided for integrated processing of biological data. According to one embodiment, the invention provides an interlocking series of target identification, target validation, lead identification, and lead optimization modules in a discovery platform oriented around specific components of the drug discovery process. The discovery platform of the invention utilizes genomic, proteomic, and other biological data stored in structured as well as unstructured databases. According to another embodiment, the invention provides overall platform/architecture with integration approach for searching and processing the data stored in the structured as well as unstructured databases. According to another embodiment, the invention provides a user interface, affording users the ability to access and process tasks for the drug discovery process.

Abstract: An information management system and method is provided for integrating structured and unstructured data using an ontological approach, and further comprises processes for creating, validating, augmenting, and combining ontologies for life science informatics and other disciplines.