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Updated: May 27, 2026

Crystallization and In Situ Room Temperature Data Collection Using the Crystallization Facility at Harwell and Beamline VMXi, Diamond Light Source
Published on: March 8, 2024
Crystallography Open Database (COD): an open-access collection of crystal structures and platform for world-wide
Saulius Gražulis1, Adriana Daškevič, Andrius Merkys
1Department of Protein - DNA Interactions, Vilnius University Institute of Biotechnology, Graiciuno 8, LT-02241 Vilnius, France. grazulis@ibt.lt
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 A newly developed website provides capabilities for all registered users to deposit published and so far unpublished structures as personal communications or pre-publication depositions.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.
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