# The Snake venom database (SVDB)

> database with all information on venomous snakes

**Wikidata**: [Q110981421](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110981421)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-snake-venom-database-svdb

## Summary
The Snake Venom Database (SVDB) is an open-access online database containing comprehensive information on venomous snakes, their toxins, and related biological data. It catalogs nucleotide sequences, proteins, genes, and scientific literature related to snake venoms worldwide. The database is maintained by researchers in Bangladesh and is freely accessible to the public.

## Key Facts
- Instance of: web portal, website, global species database, online database, bibliographic database, biological database
- Website: https://www.snakevenomdb.org/ (English language)
- Last update: May 12, 2022
- Country of origin: Bangladesh
- Online access status: Open access
- Copyright status: Copyrighted (since 2022)
- Use restriction status: Unrestricted access
- Language of work: English
- On focus list of Wikimedia project: Biosciences databases
- Main subjects: venom, nucleotide, protein, snake, worldwide, toxin, gene, literature
- Field of work: Herpetology
- Amount cataloged (as of May 5, 2022): 253,429 nucleotides, 104,957 proteins, 107,204 genes, 28,654 written works
- Amount cataloged (as of August 8, 2022): 253,430 nucleotides, 104,960 proteins, 17,204 genes, 28,654 written works

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Snake Venom Database (SVDB)?
A: SVDB is an open-access online database that provides comprehensive information on venomous snakes, including nucleotide sequences, proteins, genes, and scientific literature related to snake venoms worldwide.

### Q: Who maintains the Snake Venom Database?
A: The database is maintained by researchers in Bangladesh, though specific creator information is not provided in the source material.

### Q: Is the Snake Venom Database free to access?
A: Yes, SVDB is open access with unrestricted use, allowing free access to all its content without registration or fees.

### Q: What types of data does SVDB contain?
A: SVDB contains nucleotide sequences, protein data, gene information, and bibliographic records related to venomous snakes and their toxins from around the world.

### Q: How current is the information in SVDB?
A: The database was last updated on May 12, 2022, with content statistics available from both May 5, 2022, and August 8, 2022.

## Why It Matters
The Snake Venom Database serves as a critical resource for herpetologists, toxinologists, and biomedical researchers studying venomous snakes and their biochemical properties. By centralizing nucleotide sequences, protein structures, gene information, and scientific literature in one accessible platform, SVDB eliminates the need to search multiple databases and publications for comprehensive snake venom data. This consolidation accelerates research on antivenom development, understanding venom evolution, and exploring potential medical applications of snake toxins. The open-access nature ensures that researchers worldwide, including those in developing countries where snakebite is a significant health concern, can access this vital information without barriers. As snakebite envenoming affects millions annually and remains a neglected tropical disease, SVDB's role in facilitating research and knowledge sharing directly contributes to global health initiatives and the development of life-saving treatments.

## Notable For
- Comprehensive global coverage of venomous snake species and their toxins
- Integration of multiple data types (nucleotide, protein, gene, literature) in a single platform
- Open-access model providing unrestricted access to researchers worldwide
- Focus on both basic research and applied medical applications of snake venom
- Maintenance by researchers in Bangladesh, representing developing world scientific contribution

## Body
### Database Structure and Content
SVDB functions as a biological database specifically focused on venomous snakes, organizing information across multiple molecular and bibliographic categories. The database structure allows researchers to search and cross-reference nucleotide sequences, protein structures, gene information, and scientific literature related to snake venoms. This multi-faceted approach enables comprehensive research on venom composition, evolution, and potential applications.

### Data Volume and Updates
As of May 5, 2022, SVDB contained 253,429 nucleotide entries, 104,957 protein records, 107,204 gene entries, and 28,654 written works. A subsequent update on August 8, 2022, showed slight increases in nucleotide (253,430) and protein (104,960) counts, though gene entries decreased to 17,204 while written works remained at 28,654. These statistics demonstrate active curation and expansion of the database's content over time.

### Technical Infrastructure
The database operates as a web portal accessible through https://www.snakevenomdb.org/, with content presented in English. The platform's open-access status and unrestricted use policy remove barriers to scientific research, allowing immediate access to all registered users without authentication requirements. This technical approach prioritizes accessibility and rapid information retrieval for the scientific community.

### Research Applications
SVDB supports multiple research domains within herpetology and toxinology. Scientists can use the database to study venom evolution across snake species, identify novel toxins for pharmaceutical development, develop improved antivenoms, and understand the genetic basis of venom production. The integration of nucleotide, protein, and gene data enables researchers to trace venom components from genetic sequences through to functional proteins, facilitating comprehensive biochemical and evolutionary studies.

### Global Impact
By providing centralized, open-access information on venomous snakes worldwide, SVDB addresses a critical need in both academic research and public health. The database's comprehensive coverage supports research in regions where snakebite is prevalent, potentially accelerating the development of locally relevant antivenoms and treatments. Its open-access model ensures that researchers in resource-limited settings have equal access to this vital information, promoting global collaboration in addressing snakebite as a public health challenge.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.snakevenomdb.org/)