Crystallography Open Database (COD): an open-access collection of crystal structures and platform for world-wide collaboration

TLDR

The Crystallography Open Database (COD) is an open‑access repository that freely distributes all known small‑molecule crystal structures via the Internet. COD uses an open‑access distribution model and a web platform that allows registered users to deposit published and unpublished crystal structures as personal communications or pre‑publication depositions. COD currently aggregates about 150 000 structures, provides basic search and download via standard protocols, and its collaborative deposit system allows simultaneous expansion by many users, marking a first step toward a worldwide Internet‑based platform for structural knowledge curation.

Abstract

Using an open-access distribution model, the Crystallography Open Database (COD, http://www.crystallography.net) collects all known 'small molecule / small to medium sized unit cell' crystal structures and makes them available freely on the Internet. As of today, the COD has aggregated ∼150 000 structures, offering basic search capabilities and the possibility to download the whole database, or parts thereof using a variety of standard open communication protocols. A newly developed website provides capabilities for all registered users to deposit published and so far unpublished structures as personal communications or pre-publication depositions. Such a setup enables extension of the COD database by many users simultaneously. This increases the possibilities for growth of the COD database, and is the first step towards establishing a world wide Internet-based collaborative platform dedicated to the collection and curation of structural knowledge.