Text Based Searching

There are three data retrieval systems of particular relevance to molecular biologist: Sequence Retrieval System (SRS), Entrez, DBGET.These systems allow text searching in a multitude of molecular biology database and provide links to relevant information for entries that match the search criteria. The three systems differ in the databases they search and the links they have to other information.

SRS

The Sequence Retrieval System is a homogeneous interface to over 80 biological databases that had been developed at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) at Hinxton, UK (see also SRS help [9]). It includes databases of sequences, metabolic pathways, transcription factors, application results (like BLAST, SSEARCH, FASTA), protein 3-D structures, genomes, mappings, mutations, and locus specific mutations.
The web page listing all the databases contains a link to a description page about each database including the date on which it was last updated. You select one or more of the databases to search before entering your query.
After getting results you choose an alignment algorithm (like CLUSTALW, PHYLIP) enter parameters, and run it.
The SRS [8] is highly recommended for use.

Entrez

[18] is a molecular biology database and retrieval system, developed by the National Center for Biotechnology information (NCBI) (see Entrez help [19]). It is entry point for exploring distinct but integrated databases. Of the three text-based database systems, Entrez is the easiest to use, but also offers more limited information to search.

DBGET

[13] is an integrated database retrieval system, developed at the university of Tokyo (see DBGET help [14]). Provides access to 20 databases, one at a time. Having more limited options, the DBGET is less recommended than the two others.