Lipoprotein ontology as a functional knowledge base

Abstract

The advances of high throughput research in the biomedical domain have resulted in an onslaught of data being generated at an exponential rate. As a result, researchers face challenges in navigating through overwhelming amounts of information in order to derive relevant scientific insights. Ontologies address these issues by providing explicit description of biomedical entities and a platform for the integration of data, thereby enabling a more efficient retrieval of information. There have been major efforts in the development of biomedical ontologies in the recent years; however no such ontology exists for lipoproteins, which play a crucial role in various biological and cellular functions. Dysregulation in lipoprotein metabolism is significantly associated with an increased risk to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the world today. The aim of this paper is to propose a preliminary framework for Lipoprotein Ontology, with particular focus on the etiology and treatment of lipoprotein dysregulation. This may provide a novel and effective strategy for managing at risk individuals.