silva

is a Data Source.

It is part of the BER collection.

SILVA is a comprehensive online resource for quality checked and aligned ribosomal RNA sequence data. It provides regularly updated datasets of aligned small (16S/18S, SSU) and large subunit (23S/28S, LSU) ribosomal RNA sequences for all three domains of life (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya). SILVA is a Global Core Biodata Resource and ELIXIR Core Data Resource, currently maintaining over 9.4 million SSU sequences in release 138.2.

Domains

microbiology, genomics, biological systems, organisms, biomedical

License

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Homepage

silva

Repository

GitHub

Infores ID

Unknown

FAIRsharing ID

Unknown

Product Summary

Products

From this Resource
ID Name URL Category Format Description
silva.search SILVA Search search GraphicalInterface http Web-based search interface for SILVA ...
silva.browser SILVA Browser browser GraphicalInterface http Interactive browser for exploring SIL...
silva.aligner SILVA Alignment, Classification and Tree Service (ACT) aligner ProcessProduct http SILVA Incremental Aligner (SINA) for ...
silva.release_files SILVA Release Files current-release Product mixed Comprehensive release files including...
silva.testprime SILVA TestPrime testprime ProcessProduct http TestPrime tool for in silico evaluati...
silva.testprobe SILVA TestProbe testprobe ProcessProduct http TestProbe tool for in silico evaluati...
silva.arb_files SILVA ARB Files arb-files Product mixed ARB-formatted database files for phyl...
silva.ngs_pipeline SILVAngs ngs.arb-silva.de ProcessProduct http SILVAngs pipeline for high-throughput...
From other Resources
ID Name URL Category Format Description
rnacentral.portal RNAcentral Portal rnacentral.org GraphicalInterface http Web portal for searching and browsing...
rnacentral.api RNAcentral REST API api ProgrammingInterface http REST API for programmatic access to R...
rnacentral.ftp RNAcentral FTP Archive RNAcentral Product http FTP archive with current and archived...
rnacentral.public-db RNAcentral Public Postgres Database public-database DataModelProduct postgres Public PostgreSQL database for direct...

Details

SILVA

SILVA is a comprehensive online resource that provides quality-checked and aligned ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence data for phylogenetic analysis and microbial diversity studies. Developed and maintained by the SILVA Team at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures in Bremen, Germany, SILVA serves as a foundational resource for microbiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology research worldwide.

Overview

SILVA offers regularly updated datasets of aligned small subunit (16S/18S, SSU) and large subunit (23S/28S, LSU) ribosomal RNA sequences spanning all three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. The database is recognized as both a Global Core Biodata Resource and an ELIXIR Core Data Resource, reflecting its critical importance to the international research community.

Key Features

Comprehensive Coverage

The current release (138.2, July 2024) includes:

  • Over 9.4 million SSU sequences with quality annotations
  • 1.3 million LSU sequences with comprehensive alignments
  • Complete taxonomic coverage across Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
  • Multiple quality filtering levels (basic and strong) for different use cases

Quality Control and Curation

SILVA implements rigorous quality control measures:

  • Manual curation by expert taxonomists and bioinformaticians
  • Automated quality assessment with clear rating systems
  • Alignment quality scoring for every sequence
  • Phylogenetic consistency checking across taxonomic assignments
  • Regular updates incorporating new sequences and taxonomic revisions

Advanced Alignment Technology

The SILVA Incremental Aligner (SINA) provides:

  • Reference-based alignment using curated seed alignments
  • Phylogenetic placement for accurate taxonomic assignment
  • Quality metrics for alignment assessment
  • Scalable processing for large sequence datasets
  • Integration with ARB phylogenetic analysis software

Tools and Services

Search and Browse

  • Advanced search interface with taxonomic, sequence, and metadata filtering
  • Interactive browser for exploring phylogenetic relationships
  • Export capabilities in multiple formats (FASTA, ARB, etc.)

Analysis Tools

  • TestPrime: In silico PCR primer evaluation against SILVA sequences
  • TestProbe: Hybridization probe coverage and specificity analysis
  • ACT (Alignment, Classification and Tree Service): Web-based sequence alignment and classification
  • SILVAngs: High-throughput amplicon analysis pipeline for NGS data

Data Products

  • Reference datasets (Ref NR) with high-quality, non-redundant sequences
  • Comprehensive datasets (Parc) including all processed sequences
  • ARB database files for phylogenetic analysis
  • Taxonomic frameworks compatible with major analysis platforms
  • Specialized formats for QIIME2, DADA2, Kraken2, and other tools

Applications and Use Cases

Microbial Ecology

SILVA supports diverse ecological studies:

  • Environmental microbiome analysis across terrestrial, aquatic, and host-associated systems
  • Biodiversity assessment using standardized taxonomic frameworks
  • Community structure analysis with phylogenetic context
  • Temporal and spatial dynamics of microbial communities

Phylogenetic Analysis

The database enables sophisticated evolutionary studies:

  • Large-scale phylogenetic reconstruction across all domains of life
  • Molecular clock analyses using curated alignments
  • Comparative genomics with taxonomic context
  • Evolutionary relationship inference for newly discovered organisms

Clinical and Applied Microbiology

SILVA provides critical infrastructure for:

  • Pathogen identification and classification
  • Antimicrobial resistance surveillance with phylogenetic context
  • Probiotic strain characterization and quality control
  • Food safety and industrial microbiology applications

Integration and Compatibility

SILVA maintains broad compatibility with the scientific ecosystem:

  • ARB software suite: Native integration for phylogenetic analysis
  • QIIME2, DADA2: Specialized database formats for amplicon analysis
  • Kraken2, BLAST: Reference databases for sequence classification
  • RNAcentral: Contribution as expert database for ribosomal RNA
  • LPSN integration: Taxonomic consistency with prokaryotic nomenclature standards

Data Access and Licensing

SILVA operates under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, enabling:

  • Free academic use for research and educational purposes
  • Commercial licensing available for industrial applications
  • Multiple download formats including FTP access
  • API access through integrated web services
  • Version control with archived releases for reproducibility

Community and Support

The SILVA project maintains active engagement with the research community:

  • Regular workshops and training sessions
  • Comprehensive documentation and tutorials
  • User support through dedicated help channels
  • Collaborative development with international partners
  • Integration with DSMZ Digital Diversity platform for cross-database searches

SILVA’s commitment to data quality, accessibility, and community engagement has established it as an indispensable resource for ribosomal RNA-based research, supporting thousands of publications and serving millions of users worldwide in their investigations of microbial diversity and evolution.

Is this information incorrect or incomplete? Request an update.

Created: September 09, 2025 | Last modified: September 24, 2025