How to Search for an Ontology

Who it’s for: Consumers (researchers, stakeholders, reviewers)

Step 1. Access the Marketplace

  • Visit the Explore Ontologies section from the homepage.

Step 2. Use the Search Bar

  • Enter keywords (e.g., “cancer research,” “drug interactions”).
  • You can also search by ontology name or contributor.

Step 3. Apply Filters

  • Narrow results by:
    • Domain (oncology, pharmacology, etc.)
    • Validation Status (peer-reviewed, institutionally validated)
    • License Type (open, restricted, commercial)

Step 4. Compare Ontologies

  • Open multiple results in new tabs.
  • Review metadata, documentation, and licensing terms.

Step 5. Select & License

  • Click View Details for the ontology you want.
  • Choose a license (free or paid, depending on contributor settings).
  • Once accepted, you’ll gain immediate access to download.

Step 6. Leave Feedback

  • After using an ontology, you can rate and review it.
  • Your feedback helps Modelers improve and guides other users.

👉 Tip: Look for the “Validated” badge to find ontologies reviewed by experts.