DDBJ

DDBJ, the DNA Data Bank of Japan, is a public database that collects, stores, and provides access to nucleotide sequence data submitted by researchers worldwide. It serves as a repository for DNA and RNA sequence information, along with associated metadata such as organism, sample source, sequencing method, and submission details.

DDBJ is a member of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), a partnership that also includes GenBank in the United States and the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA). Through INSDC, DDBJ coordinates with its partner databases to ensure rapid sharing and synchronization of submitted data, so that researchers can access a consistent global collection of nucleotide sequences.

Data in the DDBJ cover a range of sequence types, including genomic, transcript, and functional sequences, as well as related records that provide context for the data. Submissions are accepted from researchers worldwide using standardized formats and submission tools, and the resulting records are made freely available to the public. In addition to primary sequence data, DDBJ maintains metadata and supporting information essential for data interpretation and reuse, with versioning to reflect updates to records.

Access to DDBJ is provided through web-based search and retrieval interfaces, as well as programmatic access and file downloads. Users can locate records by accession numbers, organism, gene, or other keywords, and can retrieve sequences and associated metadata. The DDBJ Center is operated by the National Institute of Genetics in Japan, with support from the government and the broader scientific community, and it plays a key role in enabling international data sharing in genomics.