Mapping XML documents into databases: a Data-Driven Framework for bioinformatic data interchange.

The Data-Driven Framework (DDF) described here addresses two major problems for healthcare Electronic Data Interchange, data formats and software development costs. The use of a standard XML Document Type Definition (DTD) allows robust representation in any application area and leverages industry-standard tools and development directions. The DDF allows reduced software development and maintenance costs since all data-entry and database tools are generated from the DTD. The DTD can change and the tools can be regenerated. The case-study below uses the DDF for reporting cell assays to determine the roles of factors influencing cellular gene expression and regulation.