> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resources.pipelinebio.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Search for Scientific Capabilities on Pipeline Bio

> Search the Directory of Providers and the Catalogue of Capabilities, use the Capability Taxonomy and AI Search Agent, and save Providers to My Favourites.

There are two ways to search on Pipeline Bio: the **Directory of Providers**, organised by organisation, and the **Catalogue of Capabilities**, organised by capability. Both lead to the same storefronts and service listings.

<Note>
  A Member Account is required to view detailed information. Pipeline Bio does not rank or endorse Providers. Not all services show pricing; quotes come after an enquiry or RFP.
</Note>

## Search the Directory of Providers

Use the Directory when you are searching by organisation, location, or sector.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Directory">
    Select **Directory of Providers** in the Navigation Panel. Providers are listed alphabetically by default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter the list">
    Filter by keyword search or by tags, including company name, Location, and industry sector.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the listing">
    Each listing shows the organisation name and logo, its Company Category, Locations, quality and compliance frameworks, and a company description. This is usually enough to decide whether to look further.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a storefront">
    Select **Visit storefront** to open a Provider's dedicated page. From the storefront you can view fee-for-service listings, filter them by keyword, select **Send enquiry**, and open Clickable Tiles linking to the provider's website, events, or partnerships.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Select the star icon in the Directory, or **Add to favourites** on a storefront, to save a Provider to **My Favourites** for later comparison.
</Tip>

## Search the Catalogue of Capabilities

Use the Catalogue when you know the capability you need but not who provides it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Catalogue">
    Select **Catalogue of Capabilities** in the Navigation Panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter by keyword or category">
    Filter by keyword, or use the top-level category tags such as Clinical, Preclinical, and Regulatory Affairs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="View matching services">
    Select **See services** on a classification to view the services mapped to it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explore the taxonomy">
    Select **Inspect taxonomy** for an interactive graphical view of the Capability Taxonomy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Act on a result">
    Within a classification, select **Storefront** to view the Provider, or **Send enquiry** to contact them directly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How the Capability Taxonomy is structured

Services are organised hierarchically, moving from broad domains to highly specific work:

**Category → Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3**

For example:

<Note>
  Clinical → Clinical Research Lab → Sample Processing & Banking → PBMC Processing & Storage
</Note>

Searching at a higher level returns a broader set of Providers. Searching at Level 3 returns fewer, more precisely matched results. If a specific search returns little, move up a level before concluding that the capability is unavailable.

## Use the AI Search Agent

The Platform includes an AI Search Agent that accepts free-text queries, so you can describe what you need in your own words rather than navigating the taxonomy.

<Warning>
  Storefront updates may take up to 48 hours to be indexed by the AI Search Agent. A recently published service listing may not appear in AI results immediately.
</Warning>

## Compare and shortlist

As you search, save candidates to **My Favourites** in the Navigation Panel. Comparing Providers side by side across capabilities, Location, and Quality and Compliance Accreditations is usually faster than assessing each storefront in isolation.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Send enquiries" href="/resources/how-to-guides/send-enquiries">
    Contact a Provider once you have a shortlist.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Prepare an RFP" href="/resources/how-to-guides/rfp-guide">
    Scope a project formally so providers can respond in a structured way.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>