This session covers the history, the computer graphics background, and the system issues involved in interactive data visualization and data exploration. The emphasis will be on examples applied to bioinformatics.

Starting from early successes of visualization, such as Dr. J. Snow's dot map in 1854 showing the connection of cholera to a water pump, we trace the historical development of the field. After the introduction and background on computer graphics and system issues arising in interactive data visualization and data exploration, we highlight key perceptual issues together with data representations and comparisons of visualization systems, especially those within the bioinformatics and cheminformatics domains.

There will follow a thorough introduction to High Dimensional Visualizations techniques, an overview of state of the art exploration environments, including integrated analysis and visualization systems, and a review of research systems. Many slides and videotapes of variety of techniques and systems are presented.