Databases may be searched online through appropriate networks and gateways by direct connection or through a host (online service, vendor). Access to a wide range of biotechnology databases is available to anyone equipped with a computer fitted with a modem linked through a telecommunications network to hosts offering biotechnology databases. It is necessary to have a license agreement with hosts which then authorize the user a password. With this password, the user has access to the host computer and can request access to the database of interest. If the user has access to Internet, he can directly access many databases in genetics and molecular biology.