ChEBI

File:ChEBI logo.png

The ChEBI logo

ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest) is a freely available dictionary of molecular entities focused on 'small' chemical compounds. It is a part of the Open Biomedical Ontologies effort and is available to the public for use in research and education.

Overview

ChEBI provides a comprehensive database of chemical entities, which includes both naturally occurring and synthetic compounds. The database is curated by experts and provides detailed information about each chemical entity, including its structure, formula, and biological role.

Features

ChEBI offers several features that make it a valuable resource for researchers and students:

• Chemical Structure: Each entry in ChEBI includes a detailed chemical structure, which can be viewed in various formats.
• Biological Role: Information about the biological role of each chemical entity is provided, helping users understand its function in biological systems.
• Ontology: ChEBI is part of a larger ontology that connects chemical entities to other biological data, facilitating integrative research.

Applications

ChEBI is widely used in various fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, and bioinformatics. It is particularly useful for:

• Drug Discovery: Researchers use ChEBI to identify potential drug candidates and understand their interactions with biological systems.
• Metabolomics: ChEBI helps in the identification and analysis of metabolites in biological samples.
• Education: ChEBI serves as an educational tool for teaching students about chemical entities and their roles in biology.

Access and Use

ChEBI is accessible online and can be integrated into other databases and software tools. It supports various data formats and provides an API for programmatic access.

Related pages

• PubChem
• ChemSpider
• DrugBank
• KEGG