Using the Ensembl Web Code

Linking to Ensembl

Even if you don't need to install Ensembl yourself, you may want to link to it from your own website.

• How to construct an Ensembl URL

Installing Ensembl

The Ensembl website is written in Perl and can be installed locally. The code is modular and extensible so it can be customized for local demands.

• Hardware and software requirements
• Installation and setup

Developing with Ensembl

General development

• Introduction
• Documenting your code
• Debugging and profiling your code

Basic customization

How to set up a custom version of Ensembl for your project

• Visual design: templates and colour schemes
• Adding or removing species
• Removing unwanted views
• Adding HTML pages to your website

Advanced topics

This section covers the more technical aspects of customizing Ensembl, and is recommended for advanced Perl users only.

• Creating custom views
• Memcached integration

Ensembl Software Support

Ensembl is an open project and we would like to encourage correspondence and discussions on any subject on any aspect of Ensembl. If you have any questions about installing or customizing Ensembl, please join our development mailing list and we will endeavour to help.

If you are interested in undertaking a short-term collaborative project, our "Geek for a Week" scheme allows developers and researchers to work alongside Ensembl team members.

Web security

The Ensembl webcode is regularly security-audited by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. However vulnerabilities can creep in accidentally between audits, so do please contact us if you have any concerns.

Note that the code does not currently support https logins, so we cannot guarantee the privacy of any data you choose to upload to the website. Please see our privacy policy for more information about our user accounts system.