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The paper describes the interfaces implemented in the AMUNATCOLL IT system, which enable access to and explorationand manipulation of data available in the database containing unique natural collections from the Faculty of Biology of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (FBAMU). Data can be accessed using the two available interfaces: graphical and programming application interfaces. The first is implemented in two forms: a portal, which is the main interface for accessingthe data stored in the database, and a mobile application that complements functions related to field research and creating private collections. To deliver the required set of operations, the portal was equipped with simplified and advanced searching, statistical analysis and spatial processing (BioGIS). Data openness and the ability to collaborate with other solutions and systems are key elements in achieving synergies in conducting research on biodiversity. AMUNATCOLL IT offers an opportunity to respond to these challenges, enabling data export for independent processing with external tools related to portal functionality or giving access to data directly using an application programming interface. Graphical interfaces are subject to numerous requirements and restrictions reflected in the graphic design and accessibility issues related to the accommodation of disabled individuals. These interfaces must properly address both groups of target recipients, considering their different goals and level of knowledge, as well as adjusting the level of interaction due to the limitations of using the interface.

This paper describes a project aimed at digitizing and openly sharing the natural history collections (AMUNATCOLL) of the Faculty of Biology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Poland). The result of this project is a database (including 2.2 million records) of plant, fungal and animal specimens, which is available online via the AMUNATCOLL portal and on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility website. This article presents selected aspects of the “life cycle” of this project, with a particular focus on its preparatory phase.

This paper describes the procedures and operational aspects related to the proper storage and handling of taxonomic, biogeographic and ecological data of biological specimens digitised under the AMUNATCOLL project. In the introductory phase of this process, the definition of the metadata is carried out, which is the formal handler of the structure, based upon the analysis of existing standards. The set of parameters derived from the standard is extended by data that is important according to the point of view of the specificity and functionality of the developed system. Subsequently, the database, as a key element in many IT systems, must be set up for data storage along with the suitable structure that reinforces efficiency. The process of preparing and casting a large amount of data requires automated procedures with dedicated tools attached. These approaches address a variety of processes starting from data preparation, where occasionally conversion must occur, aggregation and finally validation, which guarantees that data apply defined rules. Above all, dedicated operational procedures must be defined and applied to enable proper handling of the entire process.

The purpose of this deliverable is to present respective activities to analyse and establish properly the architecture for initial MARVEL services deployment. This document details resources provided by PSNC to the consortium within the scope of processing and storing data. Computing resources for running applications come from domains like HPC and Cloud where virtual machines with framework services are set-up according to pilot demands. Another crucial module of MARVEL’s architecture is Data Corpus, which is intended to store and effectively process data in open science and open data manner. Moreover, the report presents organisational and operational aspects related to the procedures for accessing resources and their proposer use. Presented organisation of the infrastructure allocated for the purposes of the project is of a preliminary nature and will be adapted in the future in accordance with the needs reported by the users.

This book will focus on new Remote Instrumentation aspects related to middleware architecture, high-speed networking, wireless Grid for acquisition devices and sensor networks, QoS provisioning for real-time control, measurement instrumentation and methodology. Moreover, it will provide knowledge about the automation of mechanisms oriented to accompanying processes that are usually performed by a human. Another important point of this book is focusing on the future trends concerning Remote Instrumentation systems development and actions related to standardization of remote instrumentation mechanisms.

Specialized software, on-line tools and computational resources are very common in contemporary science. One of the exem- plary domain is genomics - a new branch of science that developed rapidly in the last decade. As the genome research is very complex, it must be supported by professional informatics. In a microarray field the following steps cannot be performed without computational work: design of probes, quantitative analysis of hybridization results, post-processing, and finally data storage and management. Here, the gen- eral aspects of virtual laboratory systems are presented together with perspectives of their implementation in genomics in order to automate and facilitate this area of research.

In the paper some dynamic measurement scenarios conception is presented. The dynamic measurement scenarios (DMS) are used for advanced workflow control in the virtual laboratory system. It facilitates defining and monitoring the measurement process from the preparation stage through experimental and computational processes to results analysis (based on the achieved visualization data). DMS often consists of many different tasks connected by links with specified conditions. To execute DMS we need a special application (during the definition process) on the one hand and on the other hand a sophisticated (and complex) module is needed for manage and control specified workflow. The described issues are illustrated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) laboratory examples.