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GenBank

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Verified working Jul 31, 2026

A global NIH repository for public DNA sequences and annotations.

GenBank is NCBI’s public database for nucleotide sequence records, including DNA sequence data and associated annotations submitted by researchers and other data providers. It is part of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration, with daily data exchange among GenBank, DDBJ, and the European Nucleotide Archive. Users can search records online, compare sequences with BLAST, submit new records, and retrieve data through programmatic and bulk-download channels.

Why it stands out

  • Part of the international nucleotide archive network, with daily synchronization across the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
  • Provides both web search tools and large-scale retrieval options for computational biology workflows.
  • Uses accessioned records that can be cited, updated, and linked across NCBI databases.
  • Combines automated and manual processing before public release to improve record consistency and integrity.
  • NCBI places no general restrictions on use or redistribution of GenBank data.

Good to know

  • NCBI notes that some submitted records may include third-party patent, copyright, or other intellectual-property claims that it cannot evaluate or clear for users.
  • Records are primarily built from submissions, so accuracy and completeness can vary by submitter and sequence type.
  • On rare occasions, data may be removed from public view after release.
  • Beginning June 16, 2026, GenBank will stop accepting personal sequence data from private individuals.

Under the radar: If you need to parse GenBank flatfiles, start with NCBI’s annotated sample Saccharomyces cerevisiae record; it explains fields that are easy to misread when building scripts.

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