Introduction

To make IMPC data more accessible, IMPC provides four MCP servers. These servers allow AI assistants and MCP-compatible coding tools, such as Codex or Cursor IDE, to search and retrieve IMPC data on your behalf. Instead of writing code or navigating complex APIs yourself, you simply ask questions in plain English and the AI handles the rest.

This guide explains what each server does, what kind of questions you can ask, and how to set things up.

What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI assistants connect to external data sources. Think of it as a universal plug that connects your AI tool to specialised databases.

What this means for you:

• No coding required: You ask questions in natural language. The AI figures out which server to query and how.
• No API knowledge needed: You do not need to learn Solr syntax, REST endpoints, or query parameters.
• No installation: The servers are hosted online. You just add the server URLs to your AI tool’s settings.
• Instant access: Once configured, you can immediately start asking questions about IMPC data.