Skip to main content

Subject-specific eGuides

Medical Science

Searching for resources

There are two key library catalogues you may use when studying at Cambridge:

Girton Library catalogue (Heritage) – search Girton Library’s collection and see if items are available or already on loan. See our eGuide for further information.

iDiscover – to search across the University’s print and electronic collections (including books, eBooks, journals, newspapers, articles and much more, from other colleges, faculty and department libraries, and the University Library. Most, but not all, of Girton’s collection can be found here. See our Searching iDiscover eGuide for further information.

You will be able to borrow from Girton’s Library and the University Library and you may also find it helpful to visit and use Medical Library. However, there may be other libraries within Cambridge which stock useful resources. For a full list of the Cambridge libraries see the directory and check each library for access guidelines.

Search Spacefinder to find places of study outside of College.

Subject-specific resources

Biochemistry

  • Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.
  • Web of Science (citation indexes), published by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), is a multidisciplinary database, with searchable author abstracts, covering the journal literature of the sciences, social sciences and arts. It indexes major journals in these disciplines. Because the information stored about each article includes the article's cited reference list (often called its bibliography), you can also search the databases for articles that cite a known author or work. The search interface at this website provides access to Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and Arts & Humanities Citation Index.
  • PubMed contains 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. Includes links to full text articles and related resources.
  • Access to the set of Annual Reviews, including the Annual Review of Biochemistry. These contain time-saving review articles summarising key research and emerging issues. Extensive bibliographies provide authoritative paths to relevant primary literature. The Annual Review of Biochemistry sets the standard for review articles in biological chemistry and molecular biology and serves as an indispensable resource for practicing biochemists and their students.
  • Biomedical and Life Sciences eBook Collection brings together up-to-date resources from trusted authors working around the world in all aspects of life: from patterns of infectious transmission to processes responsible for the loss of biodiversity. The books in this collection cover a wide range of topics, including applied microbiology & biotechnology, infectious diseases, veterinary science, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, virology and more.

For more information please go to the Biochemistry libguides.

Genetics

  • Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.
  • Web of Science (citation indexes), published by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), is a multidisciplinary database, with searchable author abstracts, covering the journal literature of the sciences, social sciences and arts. It indexes major journals in these disciplines. Because the information stored about each article includes the article's cited reference list (often called its bibliography), you can also search the databases for articles that cite a known author or work. The search interface at this web site provides access to Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and Arts & Humanities Citation Index.
  • BioCyc is a collection of 19495 Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs) for model eukaryotes and for thousands of microbes, plus software tools for exploring them. BioCyc is an encyclopedic reference that contains curated data from 130,000 publications.
  • Access to the set of Annual Reviews, including the Annual Review of Genetics. These contain time-saving review articles summarising key research and emerging issues. Extensive bibliographies provide authoritative paths to relevant primary literature. The Annual Review of Genetics, in publication since 1967, covers significant developments in the field of genetics. These include biochemical, behavioral, cell, and developmental genetics; evolutionary and population genetics; chromosome structure and transmission; gene function and expression; mutation and repair; genomics; immunogenetics; and other topics as related to the genetics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, including humans.
  • The Arabidopsis Information Resource maintains a database of genetic and molecular biology data for the model higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Data available from TAIR includes the complete genome sequence along with gene structure, gene product information, gene expression, DNA and seed stocks, genome maps, genetic and physical markers, publications, and information about the Arabidopsis research community.
  • Biomedical and Life Sciences eBook Collection brings together up-to-date resources from trusted authors working around the world in all aspects of life: from patterns of infectious transmission to processes responsible for the loss of biodiversity. The books in this collection cover a wide range of topics, including applied microbiology & biotechnology, infectious diseases, veterinary science, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, virology and more.

For more information please go to the Genetics libguides.

Pathology

  • PubMed contains 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. Includes links to full text articles and related resources.
  • Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.
  • Embase This biomedical and pharmacological resource gives you access to the most up-to-date medical and drug-related subjects. This database complements PubMed/ Medline, with strengths in pharmacology, drug research and toxicology. 
  • bioRxiv is an online archive of unpublished preprints for the life sciences. By publishing here, authors can make their findings immediately available to the scientific community.
  • Biomedical and Life Sciences eBook Collection brings together up-to-date resources from trusted authors working around the world in all aspects of life: from patterns of infectious transmission to processes responsible for the loss of biodiversity. The books in this collection cover a wide range of topics, including applied microbiology & biotechnology, infectious diseases, veterinary science, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, virology and more.
  • Access to the set of Annual Reviews, including the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease. These contain time-saving review articles summarising key research and emerging issues. Extensive bibliographies provide authoritative paths to relevant primary literature. The Annual Review of Pathology covers topics including receptors, transporters, enzymes, and chemical agents; drug development science; systems such as the immune system, central and autonomic nervous systems, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and pulmonary system; and special topics.

For more information please go to the Pathology libguides.

Pharmacology

  • Embase This biomedical and pharmacological resource gives you access to the most up-to-date medical and drug-related subjects. This database complements PubMed/ Medline, with strengths in pharmacology, drug research and toxicology. 
  • PubMed contains 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. Includes links to full text articles and related resources.
  • Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.
  • BNF (British National Formulary) Free online access to the UK BNF content published by NICE. Search or browse lists of drugs and drug interactions. There is also an A-Z of treatment summaries.
  • bioRxiv is an online archive of unpublished preprints for the life sciences. By publishing here, authors can make their findings immediately available to the scientific community.
  • Biomedical and Life Sciences eBook Collection brings together up-to-date resources from trusted authors working around the world in all aspects of life: from patterns of infectious transmission to processes responsible for the loss of biodiversity. The books in this collection cover a wide range of topics, including applied microbiology & biotechnology, infectious diseases, veterinary science, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, virology and more.
  • Access to the set of Annual Reviews, including the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease. These contain time-saving review articles summarising key research and emerging issues. Extensive bibliographies provide authoritative paths to relevant primary literature. The Annual Review of Pathology covers topics including receptors, transporters, enzymes, and chemical agents; drug development science; systems such as the immune system, central and autonomic nervous systems, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and pulmonary system; and special topics.

For more information please go to the Pharmacology libguides.

Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

  • Annual Reviews Aims to capture a current understanding of a topic, including what is well supported and what is controversial. With a list of titles that includes topics like cancer biology, physiology, neuroscience, and pathology, there is a wide range of literature on offer through this resource. 
  • bioRxiv is an online archive of unpublished preprints for the life sciences. By publishing here, authors can make their findings immediately available to the scientific community.
  • PubMed contains 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. Includes links to full text articles and related resources.
  • Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive.
  • Biomedical and Life Sciences eBook Collection brings together up-to-date resources from trusted authors working around the world in all aspects of life: from patterns of infectious transmission to processes responsible for the loss of biodiversity. 
  • Web of Science is an online subscription-based scientific citation indexing service that provides a comprehensive citation search. It gives access to multiple databases that reference cross-disciplinary research, which allows for in-depth exploration of specialised sub-fields within an academic or scientific discipline. 

For more information please go to the Physiology, Development and Neuroscience libguide.

Ecology

  • Web of Science The Web of Science (citation indexes), published by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), is a multidisciplinary database, with searchable author abstracts, covering the journal literature of the sciences, social sciences and arts. It indexes major journals in these disciplines. Because the information stored about each article includes the article's cited reference list (often called its bibliography), you can also search the databases for articles that cite a known author or work. The search interface at this web site provides access to Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and Arts & Humanities Citation Index.
  • Scopus Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature as well as the research literature of the social sciences and humanities. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive. Compatible with IE8 or higher, Google Chrome and Firefox browsers.
  • GreenFile GreenFILE is a freely accessible research database focusing on the relationship between human beings and the environment, with well-researched but accessible information on topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond. Comprised of scholarly and general interest titles, as well as government documents and reports, GreenFILE offers a unique perspective on the positive and negative ways humans affect the ecology. Drawing on the connection between the environment and disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology, GreenFILE will serve as an informative resource for anyone concerned about the issues facing our planet.
  • Encyclopedia of Life Sciences ELS features more than 5,000 articles written by leaders in the field to provide comprehensive coverage of each subject area. All articles are accompanied by colour illustrations and tables. Appendix and glossary material provide essential information for the non-specialist, including biochemical and taxonomic information, acronyms, synonyms, units and other technical data. Importantly, since all articles have been peer-reviewed a balanced representation of the literature is ensured.
  • Global plants The largest of its kind, Global Plants is a community-contributed database used by students and researchers worldwide. Global Plants lets herbaria share their plant type specimens, experts determine and update plant names, and students discover and learn about plants in context. The database is an essential resource for institutions supporting research and teaching in botany, ecology, and conservation studies.
  • Birds of the World A resource that brings together scholarly content from four celebrated works of ornithology, allowing you to explore the remarkable diversity of birds.
  • BioOne Complete Provides access to full text of articles from 2000 for over 60 bioscience journals published by scholarly societies. Subject coverage focuses on biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne was founded by American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), University of Kansas, Big 12 Plus Libraries Consortium, and Allen Press.
  • Biodiversity Heritage Library The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is the world’s largest open access digital library for biodiversity literature and archives. BHL is revolutionizing global research by providing free, worldwide access to knowledge about life on Earth.

For more information please go to the Ecology libguide.

Psychology

  • Child Development & Adolescent Studies​
  • Faculty Opinions (formerly F1000) - Trial - Publishes recommendations of articles in biology and medicine from a "faculty" of around 6,000 scientists and clinical researchers and 5,000 more junior "associate" faculty. The service covers 32 disciplines and around 3,700 journals.
  • HathiTrust (Global Public Domain only) Is a partnership of academic and research institutions, offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world.
  • HathiTrust Is a partnership of academic and research institutions, offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world.
  • JoVE Unlimited Publishes peer-reviewed scientific video protocols to accelerate biological, medical, chemical and physical research.
  • Oxford Bibliographies: Psychology Is a quick, comprehensive, and efficient source for exploring or staying current with the growing science of psychology. 
  • Oxford Scholarship Online Offers access to thousands of academic works from the celebrated scholarly list of Oxford University Press, covering subjects across the humanities, social sciences, sciences, medicine, and law.
  • Psychiatry Online
  • PsycINFO
  • PsycARTICLES
  • PsycTESTS
  • PubMed with @cam Links
  • PubMed (legacy platform)
  • SAGE Research Methods Online
  • Science Direct
  • Scopus Scopus is a navigation tool covering the world's largest collection of abstracts, references and indexes of scientific, technical and medical (STM) literature as well as the research literature of the social sciences and humanities. Seamless links to full-text articles and other library resources make Scopus quick, easy and comprehensive. Compatible with IE8 or higher, Google Chrome and Firefox browsers.
  • Web of Science The Web of Science (citation indexes), published by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), is a multidisciplinary database, with searchable author abstracts, covering the journal literature of the sciences, social sciences and arts. It indexes major journals in these disciplines. Because the information stored about each article includes the article's cited reference list (often called its bibliography), you can also search the databases for articles that cite a known author or work. The search interface at this web site provides access to Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and Arts & Humanities Citation Index.

For more information please go to the Psychology libguide.

Resources to support lab work

Access to the labs is a little harder at the moment, so these are some online resources that might be useful:

  • JoVE Unlimited: Journal of Visual Experiments has educational videos demonstrating science concepts and laboratory methods suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses. JoVE videos also bring to life the intricate details of cutting-edge experiments enabling efficient learning and replication of new research methods and technologies.
  • Wiley Current Protocols includes over 24,000 step-by-step techniques, procedures, and practical overviews that provide researchers with reliable, efficient methods to ensure reproducible results and pave the way for critical scientific discovery. There is a broad subject coverage for researchers, and a section on Essential Laboratory Techniques will be of particular use to undergraduate students.
  • Springer Nature Experiments is a research solution allowing researchers to quickly find and evaluate protocols and methods in the life sciences.
  • Cold Spring Harbor Protocols is an interactive source of new and classic research techniques. Fully searchable by keyword and subject. Coverage includes cell and molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, protein science, and imaging. Regularly updated.

Help within college

Library staff can provide support and assistance. You can book an appointment with us or ask a question via library@girton.cam.ac.uk.