title: Intelligent computational assistance for experiment design.
abstract: We have developed an automated system for the design of laboratory experiments in molecular biology. The system uses a planning method known as skeletal plan refinement that attempts to emulate the human cognitive task of experiment design. This paper describes the theory, history, and implementation of the design system and illustrates its function in the domain of DNA cloning experiments.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D003201:Computers; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000639:trends*; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D009696:Nucleic Acids