Visualization aims at establishing a bridge between users and their data -- tasks such as data exploration, visual analysis, and the presentation of findings are supported. Especially in the context of data exploration and analysis, interaction plays a crucial role in visualization. In this talk, a matured concept of interactive visual data exploration is presented that proved its usefulness in a series of different applications. Multiple, linked views are used to show different aspects of the same data, brushing is used to annotate the data with degree of interest values (to incorportate a notion of interpretation in the approach). Focus+context visualization allows to see features in relation to all the data. Data derivation proves as a powerful extension to achieve higher-level exploration and analysis. Application examples include the exploration/analysis of data from automotive engineering, meteorological data, and medical data.

Bioinformatics is the information technology applied to the management and analysis of biological data. Analysis of the tertiary structures of biomolecules experimentally determined to the atomic resolution provides insight into the function of living organisms, which is useful for example in designing and optimization of biomolecules for industrial applications. A number of computational tools have been developed for storage and analysis of biomolecular structures in recent years. Yet, new tools are needed for prediction of changes in a structure that will result in modification of the function in a controlled manner. Predicted changes, called mutations, can be then introduced into the structures by the molecular biology techniques. The lecture will describe the usefulness of bioinformatics for design and construction of proteins with novel properties. Presented will be a general concept of computer-assisted engineering of proteins as well as two in-house programs CAVER and HOTSPOT WIZARD developed for prediction of mutations. Examples will be given from engineering of proteins for synthesis of fine chemicals and for detoxification of dangerous chemical substances.

The ability to generate ideas can be developed through exposing students and teachers to a framework of creative learning strategies. This presentation describes a pedagogy that encourages individuals to explore the diversity of imagery and objects from the natural and built world as the stimulus to evolve new and innovative solutions to design problems. The learner will be introduced to skills to guide them to "deconstruct" a source of inspiration and identify key functional and aesthetic elements that will influence the development of a valid engineering outcome. The use of traditional methods of visualisation is explored through pencil drawing and sculptural models and developed into computer aided design through using Autodesk Inventor to create three dimensional digital prototypes. Read more ...