Patent ID: 7356418

Claim:
A scientist-centric interface system for conducting research using a mass spectrometry instrument with an informatics search tool that utilizes a search algorithm to identify biomolecules, the search algorithm having a set of predefined algorithm control parameters used to control how the search algorithm operates, comprising: a user interface that prompts a user to supply scientist-centric information expressed utilizing terminology of a scientific domain selected from the domains of biology, analytical chemistry or any combination thereof; a translation system receptive of said scientist-centric information and operative to generate control parameters selected from said set of predefined algorithm control parameters and said translation system having a search algorithm interface whereby said generated control parameters are supplied to said search algorithm to control how the algorithm operates; wherein said translation system includes: a translation file that includes a set of hierarchically organized rules that map onto user-selectable choices expressed in the terminology of the scientific domain for mediating user selection; a parameters template file that includes a set of rules that map onto the algorithm control parameters; and a workflow engine that extracts user selection information mediated by said translation file and populates the parameters template file based on the user selection information extracted.