Abstract: Databases are integrated by obtaining an entity-relationship model for each of the databases, and identifying related entities in the entity-relationship models of at least two of the databases. At least two of the related entities that are identified are linked, to thereby create an entity-relationship model that integrates the plurality of databases. The entity-relationship model that integrates the databases provides an ontology network that integrates the diverse ontologies that are represented by the independent databases. By navigating the entity-relationship model in response to queries, discovery may be obtained that may not be obtainable from any one of the independent databases.

Abstract: Aliases are used to integrate biological/chemical databases, each of which includes records for a plurality of biological/chemical objects. A set of records is identified in the biological/chemical databases that relates to a single biological/chemical object. An entity is established in a data structure that corresponds to the single biological/chemical object. The entity includes aliases, a respective one of which refers to a respective record in the set of records in the biological/chemical databases. The entities are linked in an entity-relationship model. The entities that are linked in an entity-relationship model are traversed in response to a query, to thereby obtain query results that are based on the records in the biological/chemical databases. Thus, disparate databases can be integrated into a single entity-relationship data structure.

Abstract: Biological/chemical databases are integrated by obtaining an entity-relationship model for each of the biological/chemical databases, and identifying related entities in the entity-relationship models of at least two of the biological/chemical databases. At least two of the related entities that are identified are linked, to thereby create an entity-relationship model that integrates the plurality of biological/chemical databases. The entity-relationship model that integrates the biological/chemical databases provides an ontology network that integrates the diverse ontologies that are represented by the independent biological/chemical databases. By navigating the entity-relationship model in response to queries, discovery may be obtained that may not be obtainable from any one of the independent biological/chemical databases.