ensembl

The Ensembl MCP server is a robust implementation of the Model Context Protocol that allows developers to access Ensembl's REST API seamlessly. By utilizing the TypeScript MCP SDK, you can easily integrate genomic data and resources into your applications, facilitating tasks such as querying gene information, retrieving variant data, and accessing genome assemblies. This server empowers developers to leverage Ensembl's rich biological datasets in a more structured and efficient manner.

Once connected to the Ensembl MCP server, you can interact with it by sending HTTP requests to specific endpoints defined in the Ensembl REST API. You can perform various queries such as fetching gene details, obtaining information about transcripts, and accessing population genetics data. To get the best results, make sure to format your requests correctly, utilizing the provided API documentation as a reference for available endpoints and their parameters.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have Node.js installed on your system, as it is required to run the Ensembl MCP server.

Option A: Quick Start with npx

You can quickly start using the Ensembl MCP server without a global installation by executing the following command:

npx -y ensembl-mcp-server

Option B: Global Install Alternative

If you prefer to install the server globally, you can do so with the following command:

npm install -g ensembl-mcp-server

For optimal performance, consider setting up environment variables to customize the server's behavior, such as specifying the port number or enabling debugging logs. Be mindful that the server relies on correct endpoint configurations as per Ensembl’s API, so ensure you reference the API documentation for accurate usage. If you encounter issues, check for any network restrictions that may affect API accessibility.