Implementing a cloud-based service supporting biological network simulations

Biological analysis applications are usually high demanding in terms of computational power required. Cloud Computing infrastructures can be of great value supporting those type of applications, thanks to the high flexibility and performing hardware provided. The merging of solutions based on MapReduce and distributed file systems services, allows the creation of scalable infrastructures and data management services adaptable to various use cases and requirements. However, the implementation and deployment of cloud based services remains a complex task for biological researchers without specific skills. In this paper authors describe a service that allows the execution of a biological networks simulation tool in cloud, implemented with the aid of MapReduce algorithms called MaReX. The paper shows in detail the interactions occurring between the various components of the platform such as: database, process manager agent and graphical user interface.