Entrez

Entrez

Entrez is a federated search engine, or web portal, that allows users to search many discrete health sciences databases that are maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Entrez is designed to provide a unified interface for accessing databases on genomics, proteomics, chemical substances, biomedical literature, and many other types of biological and chemical data.

Overview

Entrez integrates the PubMed database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics, the NCBI Bookshelf for books, the NCBI Nucleotide and NCBI Protein databases for nucleotide and protein sequences, and the NCBI Genome database, among others. It provides access to a wide range of resources in a unified manner, making it easier for researchers, clinicians, and the public to find and use biomedical information for their studies, research, and knowledge.

Components

The Entrez system includes several key components and databases, some of the most notable include:

• PubMed: A free search engine accessing primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics.
• NCBI Nucleotide: A collection of sequences from several sources, including GenBank, RefSeq, and TPA, as well as patent sequences.
• NCBI Protein: A database of protein sequences from various sources, including translated GenBank CDS (Coding Sequence) sequences.
• NCBI Genome: Provides detailed data on the structure of sequenced genomes, including maps, chromosomes, assemblies, and annotations.
• NCBI Bookshelf: A growing collection of biomedical books that can be searched directly by Entrez.
• Gene: A database of gene-specific information. It includes nomenclature, Reference Sequences (RefSeqs), maps, pathways, variations, phenotypes, and links to genome-, phenotype-, and locus-specific resources worldwide.

Functionality

Entrez allows users to search and retrieve information across its various databases through a single query, making it a powerful tool for cross-database queries. It supports Boolean operators, field searching, and other advanced search features that enable users to refine their searches for more precise results.

Access

Entrez can be accessed through the NCBI web interface, or programmatically via the E-utilities API, which allows developers to integrate Entrez data into their own applications.

History

Entrez was introduced in the early 1990s as part of the NCBI's suite of tools for accessing and analyzing molecular biology data. It has since evolved to include a wide range of databases covering different aspects of biomedical research and clinical practice.

Future Directions

The NCBI continues to develop and expand the Entrez system to include new databases, tools, and functionalities. This includes improving the integration of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, as well as enhancing the user interface and search capabilities to accommodate the growing volume and complexity of biomedical information.

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