ena-database

Query ENA REST and FTP APIs for nucleotide sequences, reads, and assemblies.

48|6|Updated Mar 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/qinyan-ai/qinyan-academic-skills --skill ena-database-qinyan-ai
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ena-database
Source: https://github.com/qinyan-ai/qinyan-academic-skills/tree/main/skills/12-%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E6%95%B0%E6%8D%AE%E5%BA%93/ena-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/qinyan-ai/qinyan-academic-skills --skill ena-database-qinyan-ai

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Access to ENA data is fragmented across multiple APIs and protocols; this Skill centralizes programmatic access to ENA REST APIs, Browser API, taxonomy, and cross-reference services for data retrieval and integration into analysis pipelines.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Unified access: Query and retrieve nucleotide sequences, raw reads, assemblies, studies, samples, and metadata via Portal, Browser, and taxonomy endpoints.
  • Cross-database integration: Retrieve taxonomic information and xref links to enrich datasets and enable downstream analyses.
  • Use Case: Bulk download FASTQ files for a study or fetch assembly metadata to annotate genome analyses.

Quick Start

Query ENA with a study accession to retrieve reads and assemblies for your analysis pipeline.

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 using an API?

Query ENA REST and FTP APIs to fetch nucleotide sequences, reads, and assemblies. You can retrieve data for a study accession across Portal, Browser, and taxonomy endpoints in formats like JSON, TSV, XML, FASTA, and FASTQ.

What is the best way to bulk download FASTQ files for a genomics study from ENA?

Bulk download FASTQ files for a genomics study by querying ENA REST and FTP APIs. This approach centralizes programmatic access to raw reads and assemblies, supporting multiple data formats and pagination for large requests.

Can I get taxonomic information and cross-reference links when fetching ENA data?

Yes, you can retrieve taxonomic information and xref links to enrich datasets. The ENA data retrieval process integrates cross-database references across ENA's Portal, Browser, taxonomy, and xref services to enable downstream analyses.

Does the ENA API support fetching assembly metadata to annotate genome analyses?

Yes, fetching assembly metadata to annotate genome analyses is supported. You can query ENA REST APIs to retrieve assemblies, studies, samples, and metadata in JSON, TSV, or XML formats with robust error handling.

What limitations exist when using ENA REST APIs for data mining workflows?

While ENA REST API queries support multiple data formats and pagination for data mining, users must handle robust error handling manually. Access remains fragmented across Portal, Browser, taxonomy, and xref endpoints if not centralized programmatically.