jaspar-database
Query the JASPAR database for Transcription Factor (TF) binding profiles. Use when retrieving Position Frequency Matrices (PFMs) or Position Weight Matrices (PWMs) for specific TFs, resolving gene symbols to JASPAR Matrix IDs, or getting TF metadata. Supports multiple output formats (MEME, TRANSFAC, PFM, JASPAR, YAML).
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/google-deepmind/science-skills --skill jaspar-database- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads jaspar-database automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
JASPAR Skill
JASPAR is the definitive open-access database for Transcription Factor (TF) binding profiles, stored as Position Frequency Matrices (PFMs).
Use this skill to map abstract sequence motifs or genomic regions to specific biological regulators (e.g., "what TFs bind here?" or "what is the motif for CTCF?").
Prerequisites
uv: Read theuvskill and follow its Setup instructions to ensureuvis installed and on PATH.- User Notification: If .licenses/jaspar_database_LICENSE.txt does not already exist in the workspace root directory then (1) prominently notify the user to check the terms at https://jaspar.elixir.no/ and https://jaspar.elixir.no/api/, then (2) create the file recording the notification text and timestamp.
Core Rules
CRITICAL: You MUST respect the JASPAR API Terms of Use by adhering to the following:
- Use the Wrapper: ALWAYS execute the provided helper scripts to query the database rather than accessing the database directly. The scripts automatically enforce the required rate limit gracefully.
- Maximum API Window Size: The genomic window for a single API query MUST
NOT exceed 100,000 bp (100kb). The
jaspar_api.pyscript automatically chunks larger requests for you to bypass this limitation when querying larger regions. - Valid Matrix IDs:
get_tf_motif,get_tf_metadata, andget_tf_pwmrequire a stable JASPAR Matrix ID (e.g.,MA0488.2). If a user provides a gene symbol (e.g.,JUN), you must resolve it first usingresolve_tf_id. - Taxonomy Required: Resolving IDs requires a
tax_idto ensure targeted searches. Common IDs: Human=9606, Mouse=10090. - Notification: If this skill is used, ensure this is mentioned in the output.
Utility Scripts
Run all commands using the bundled Python script:
1. Resolve TF to Matrix ID
Maps a transcription factor name to a stable Matrix ID. Required step before fetching motifs if only a gene name is provided.
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py resolve_tf_id --name "JUN" --tax-id 9606
2. Get TF Motif (PFM)
Retrieves the raw Position Frequency Matrix for a specific TF. Supports
--format flag.
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_motif --matrix-id "MA0488.2"
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_motif --matrix-id "MA0488.2" --format meme
3. Get TF Metadata
Retrieves TF class, family, and links to external databases (e.g., UniProt).
Supports --format flag.
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_metadata --matrix-id "MA0488.2"
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_metadata --matrix-id "MA0488.2" --format yaml
4. Compute PWM (Position Weight Matrix)
Fetches the PFM for a matrix and converts it to log-odds scores (PWM).
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_pwm --matrix-id "MA0488.2"
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tf_pwm --matrix-id "MA0488.2" --pseudocount 0.1
5. Infer Matrix from Protein Sequence
Infers potential JASPAR matrix profiles from a raw transcription factor protein sequence.
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py infer_from_sequence --sequence "QAQLLPSHHVG"
6. Get TF Flexible Model (TFFM)
Retrieves metadata for a JASPAR TF Flexible Model. (Note: The JASPAR TFFM endpoints occasionally experience 500 Internal Server errors).
uv run scripts/jaspar_api.py get_tffm --tffm-id "TFFM0001.1"
Output Formats
The get_tf_motif and get_tf_metadata commands accept an optional --format
flag. Supported formats: json (default), jsonp, jaspar, meme,
transfac, pfm, yaml.
Anti-Patterns
- DON'T pass gene symbols (e.g.,
JUN) toget_tf_motif. You must pass theMA...Matrix ID. - DON'T forget the
--tax-idwhen resolving a TF name. - DON'T use this skill for determining tissue-specific epigenetic availability (JASPAR shows potential binding, not actual tissue expression context).
- DON'T use this skill to model how a specific protein mutation affects binding.
FAQ
What does the jaspar-database skill do?
Query the JASPAR database for Transcription Factor (TF) binding profiles. Use when retrieving Position Frequency Matrices (PFMs) or Position Weight Matrices (PWMs) for specific TFs, resolving gene symbols to JASPAR Matrix IDs, or getting TF metadata. Supports multiple output formats (MEME, TRANSFAC, PFM, JASPAR, YAML).
How do I install jaspar-database?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/google-deepmind/science-skills --skill jaspar-database in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/jaspar-database/ (personal) or .claude/skills/jaspar-database/ (project).
Which AI agents can use jaspar-database?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is jaspar-database safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains jaspar-database?
It is published by google-deepmind in google-deepmind/science-skills. It has 2,143 recorded installs.
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