The European Searchable Tumour line Database (ESTDAB) ( http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ipd/estdab ) is a freely available and fully searchable database of melanoma-derived cell lines, which have been characterised for over 250 immunologically relevant markers by a consortium of European scientists. The database is linked to a cell bank, which can provide melanoma cell lines to non-profit investigators for a nominal handling charge. All cells are fully HLA typed at the genomic and surface expression levels. The expression of a number of surface antigens, apoptotic markers, tumour-associated antigens and extracellular matrix proteins has also been determined. Cytokine secretion has been tested and polymorphisms in cytokine genes have been identified. Glycans at the cell surface were identified and glycosyltransferase activity quantified. Cell lines with a particular constellation of these parameters can be sought online via the ESTDAB interface, which is included as part of the Immuno-Polymorphism Database (IPD) section of the European Bioinformatics Institute's (EBI) website. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.