LAPIS

API

Free API for accessing curated SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences from public sources

Overview

LAPIS API offers programmatic access to curated SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences and metadata from global public repositories. Key endpoints include /sequences for fetching viral genome data, /variants for lineage-specific insights (e.g., Omicron), and /metadata for filtering by location, collection date, or quality metrics. Responses are structured in JSON, enabling seamless integration into research pipelines. Ideal use cases: tracking variant spread, public health surveillance, academic studies on viral evolution, and building tools for COVID-19 genomic analysis. It supports pagination and advanced filtering to handle large datasets efficiently.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://cov-spectrum.ethz.ch/public')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON response format
No authentication required
Curated global SARS-CoV-2 data
Variant lineage filtering
Metadata querying (location, date)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is LAPIS free to use?

Yes, LAPIS is free for research, public health initiatives, and non-commercial applications.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, the LAPIS API does not require authentication or an API key for public access.

? What is the response format?

All LAPIS API responses are in JSON format, with structured fields for genomic sequences, lineage data, and metadata.

Top Alternatives

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Health

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ No API key needed for access
⊕ Curated and updated public genomic data
⊕ Supports advanced filtering for targeted research
⊕ Free for non-commercial and public health use

Cons

⊖ Rate-limited to prevent service overload
⊖ Exclusively focused on SARS-CoV-2 (no other pathogens)
⊖ Dependent on public data availability