add basic info to readme

README.md

@@ -6,4 +6,39 @@
 [travis]: https://travis-ci.org/Ensembl/ensembl
 [coveralls]: https://coveralls.io/github/Ensembl/ensembl
 
+The Ensembl Core API (Application Programme Interface) serves as a middle layer between the underlying MySQL database and the user's script. It aims to encapsulate the database layout by providing high level access to the database.
 
+Find more information (including the installation guide and a tutorial) on the Ensembl website: http://www.ensembl.org/info/docs/api/core/
+
+
+## Download
+To clone the Ensembl Core API, use the following command:
+
+```
+git clone https://github.com/Ensembl/ensembl.git
+```
+
+## API requirements
+In order to use the Ensembl Core API, an installation of [BioPerl 1.6.924 core modules](https://github.com/bioperl/bioperl-live/archive/release-1-6-924.zip) (bioperl-live) is required.
+
+A guide for installing all Ensembl APIs and their respective prerequisites is available here:
+http://www.ensembl.org/info/docs/api/api_installation.html
+
+## API tutorial
+An extensive tutorial for the Ensembl Core API can be found at:
+
+http://www.ensembl.org/info/docs/api/core/core_tutorial.html
+
+## Contributions
+
+If you wish to contribute to this repository or any Ensembl repository, please refer to [our contribution guide](https://github.com/Ensembl/ensembl/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+
+## Contact us
+Please email comments or questions to the public Ensembl developers list at
+
+<http://lists.ensembl.org/mailman/listinfo/dev>.
+
+Questions may also be sent to the Ensembl help desk at
+
+<http://www.ensembl.org/Help/Contact>.