ena-database

Retrieve nucleotide sequences, reads, and assemblies from ENA via REST and FTP.

1|Updated Mar 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Hung-3008/agusta --skill ena-database-hung-3008
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ena-database
Source: https://github.com/Hung-3008/agusta/tree/main/.agents/skills/ena-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Hung-3008/agusta --skill ena-database-hung-3008

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Access to ENA data via REST APIs and FTP enables researchers to retrieve nucleotide sequences, raw reads, and genome assemblies for genomics pipelines, analysis, and cross-database research without manual data wrangling.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Data types & access: Studies, Samples, Raw Reads, Assemblies, Sequences, Analyses, Taxonomy Records with programmatic access via ENA Portal API, ENA Browser API, ENA Taxonomy REST API, ENA Cross-Reference Service, and CRAM Reference Registry.
  • Data formats & retrieval: Metadata in XML/JSON/TSV/CSV; sequence data in FASTQ, BAM/CRAM, FASTA, and EMBL flat-file formats; bulk downloads via FTP or Aspera; command-line tools like enaBrowserTools.
  • Common tasks: Retrieve raw reads by accession, search studies or samples by metadata, find assemblies for a taxon, obtain taxonomic lineage, and cross-reference external databases.

Quick Start

Query ENA by accession or study using Portal or Browser APIs and download data via FTP or enaBrowserTools.

Frequently Asked Questions about ena-database

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I retrieve nucleotide sequences and raw reads from ENA by accession?

To retrieve nucleotide sequences and raw reads from ENA by accession, query the Portal or Browser APIs and download data via FTP or Aspera. This supports FASTQ, BAM/CRAM, and FASTA formats for pipeline integration.

What metadata formats does the ENA REST API return for genomics studies?

The ENA REST API returns metadata in XML, JSON, TSV, and CSV formats. You can search studies, samples, and assemblies by metadata fields using the Portal API for structured genomics data retrieval.

Can I download bulk sequence data and assemblies from ENA via FTP?

Yes, you can download bulk sequence data and genome assemblies from ENA via FTP or Aspera. The interface also supports command-line tools like enaBrowserTools for automated large-scale retrieval of raw reads and assemblies.

How do I find genome assemblies for a specific taxon using ENA?

To find genome assemblies for a specific taxon using ENA, query the Taxonomy REST API to obtain taxonomic lineage and cross-reference data, then retrieve associated assemblies through the Portal API.

Does the ENA Browser API support cross-reference queries to external databases?

Yes, the ENA Cross-Reference Service supports cross-reference queries to external databases. You can map accession numbers across data types and retrieve corresponding records for integrated genomics research.

What are the limitations when querying ENA APIs for large-scale sequence retrieval?

When querying ENA APIs for large-scale sequence retrieval, you must handle rate-limiting to avoid request failures. For bulk downloads of raw reads or assemblies, use FTP or Aspera instead of REST APIs to bypass payload constraints.