Metagenomics Sequencing

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Metagenomics Sequencing

Comprehensive Service for 16S rRNA
DNA extraction service included
Easy to Challenging Sample Types including Environmental
Illumina^® MiSeq Sequencing Platform
Analyze Entire Bacterial Communities with Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis
Identify Phylogenetic or Taxonomic Classifications
Fast Turn Around Time | 3 - 4 Weeks

In our accredited state-of-the-art laboratory, we offer comprehensive Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services to provide full workflow solutions, from DNA isolation and sequencing to advanced bioinformatic analyses for ready-to-publish data. Our experienced staff have extensive expertise working with a variety of environmental and human sample types, including stool, saliva, soil, water and more. We are here to help!

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Bioinformatics Analysis

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Figure 1. Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA data from saliva samples preserved for over 6 years using Norgen’s Saliva DNA Collection and Preservation Device (Cat. RU49000). The saliva DNA was isolated using Norgen’s Saliva DNA Isolation Kit (Cat. RU45400) from saliva that had been preserved for various periods of time up to 6 years at room temperature. The relative abundance (%) is shown per each sample, and shows the top 10 most abundant by Genus.

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Figure 2. The Alpha rarefaction curve is used to assess species richness. The curve is generated by by calculating the amount of different OTUs (operational taxonomic unit) in relation to sample size.

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Figure 3. 16S microbiome data generated by Illumina MiSeq. Stool DNA was isolated using Norgen’s Stool Isolation Kit (Magenetic Bead System)(Cat. 55700) from 200 mg of stool from 9 donors. The Shannons Diversity is a common Alpha Diversity metric which measures the richness and diversity of a population.

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Figure 4. High quality soil DNA was successfully isolated from soil samples using (A) Norgen’s Soil DNA Isolation Kit (Magnetic Bead System)(Cat. 58100) and (B) Norgen’s Soil DNA Isolation Plus Kit (Cat. 64000) respectively. The purified DNA was then successfully used in 16S rRNA Microbiome Sequencing. Once sequenced samples are assembled into OTUs (operational taxonomic unit) based on 97% identity and the Phylogenetic tree represents the evolutionary relationship between these OTUs.

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Figure 5. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) of 26 samples which shows the differences in the distribution in of taxonomic classification between samples from a genus level, using an Unweighted Unifrac metric. The Unweighted Unifrac metric is sensitive to differences in low-abundant features.

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Your Custom Workflow

1. Consultation 2. Sample Submission/Shipping 3. Sample Isolation 4. DNA Quality Control
5. Library Preparation 6. Sequencing 7. Bioinformatics Analysis 8. Final Report

Step 1: Consultation

Get started by booking your free consultation with one of our metagenomics experts. We would love to discuss your research objectives and are happy to provide assistance in defining your project goals. Our NGS specialists and bioinformaticians are here to provide customized recommendations to suit your project needs.

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Step 2: Sample Submission & Shipping

Shipping your samples to our facility is easy and painless! We’ll provide you with detailed instructions on how to handle, process and ship your samples to our laboratory. We accept both purified DNA and specimens for DNA isolation services.

If you are shipping specimens to us, a complete guide on sample collection and preservation will be provided to you. Recommended specimen input and handling procedures for DNA purification can be found in our Metagenomics Service Guide.

How will you submit your samples?

For detailed shipping instructions, please refer to the document below.

Shipping Instructions

Step 3: Sample Isolation

DNA isolation is included in your 16S rRNA. With tremendous experience and expertise in isolating DNA from various sample types, our NGS team can work with even the most challenging samples.

Step 4: DNA Quality Control

You can be confident that the sequencing portion of your project will be successful as we perform quality control on the isolated DNA to assess quantity, quality, and amplifiability prior to library preparation.

Step 5: Library Preparation

Norgen offers 16S Metagenomics Sequencing for any of the 9 target regions of the 16S gene. Based on the target region of your choice, we generate DNA libraries using Norgen Biotek’s Metagenomics Library Prep Kits. The DNA library will then undergo a quality check prior to sequencing.

Step 6: Sequencing

We will sequence your libraries on the Illumina MiSeq platform to achieve your required coverage and read depth.

Step 7: Bioinformatics Analysis

Once the sequencing is complete, our team of bioinformaticians conduct a comprehensive analysis to help make sense of your data. The analysis includes taxonomic classification down to the phylum and genus level, Shannon diversity index, OTU (operational taxonomic unit) classification with 97% similarity identity, weighted and unweighted diversity and rooted phylogenetic relationships. You will receive a final report, which will include a summary of your project as well as your data illustrated in ready-to-publish figures.

Sample Report

Let's get your project started.

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16S Variable Region Interactive Tool

Using the Interactive Variable Region Diagram, select any of the regions below to learn about which variable region may be best suited for your sequencing project.

V1

V2

V3

V4

V5

V6

V7

V8

V9

Region V1 to V2 (Nucleotides 69-242)

Used to distinguish Streptococcus sp. and differentiate between Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species
Able to distinguish among Staphylococcal, Streptococcal, Clostridium, Haemophilus and Neisseria species
Best target for distinguishing among Mycobacterium sp.
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteriodaceae, Clostridiaceae, Deinococcaceae, Enterococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Propionibacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only
Not useful for most Escherichia sp., Shigella sp., K. pneumoniae and E. aerogene

Region V1 to V3 (Nucleotides 69-497)

Used to distinguish Staphylococci populations
Able to detect Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides

Region V1 to V2 (Nucleotides 69-242)

Used to distinguish Streptococcus sp. and differentiate between Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species
Able to distinguish among Staphylococcal, Streptococcal, Clostridium, Haemophilus and Neisseria species
Best target for distinguishing among Mycobacterium sp.
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteriodaceae, Clostridiaceae, Deinococcaceae, Enterococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Propionibacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only
Not useful for most Escherichia sp., Shigella sp., K. pneumoniae and E. aerogene

Region V1 to V3 (Nucleotides 69-497)

Used to distinguish Staphylococci populations
Able to detect Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides

Region V1 to V2 (Nucleotides 69-242)

Used to distinguish Streptococcus sp. and differentiate between Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species
Able to distinguish among Staphylococcal, Streptococcal, Clostridium, Haemophilus and Neisseria species
Best target for distinguishing among Mycobacterium sp.
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteriodaceae, Clostridiaceae, Deinococcaceae, Enterococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Propionibacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only
Not useful for most Escherichia sp., Shigella sp., K. pneumoniae and E. aerogene

Region V2 to V3 (Nucleotides 137-497)

Targets speciation among Staphylococcal and Streptococcal pathogens as well as Clostridium and Niesseria, Mycobacterium, and Haemophilius

Region V1 to V3 (Nucleotides 69-497)

Used to distinguish Staphylococci populations
Able to detect Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides

Region V2 to V3 (Nucleotides 137-497)

Targets speciation among Staphylococcal and Streptococcal pathogens as well as Clostridium and Niesseria, Mycobacterium, and Haemophilius

Region V1 to V3 (Nucleotides 69-497)

Used to distinguish Staphylococci populations
Able to detect Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides

Region V2 to V3 (Nucleotides 137-497)

Targets speciation among Staphylococcal and Streptococcal pathogens as well as Clostridium and Niesseria, Mycobacterium, and Haemophilius

Region V3 to V4 (Nucleotides 433-682)

Better than region V2 in distinguishing between enterobacteriaceae K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only

Region V1 to V3 (Nucleotides 69-497)

Used to distinguish Staphylococci populations
Able to detect Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides

Region V3 to V5 (Nucleotides 433-879)

Able to detect Coxiellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and unclassified families within Firmicutes amd Tenericutes

Region V3 to V4 (Nucleotides 433-682)

Better than region V2 in distinguishing between enterobacteriaceae K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only

Region V3 to V5 (Nucleotides 433-879)

Able to detect Coxiellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and unclassified families within Firmicutes amd Tenericutes

Region V4 (Nucleotides 576-682)

Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteriodaceae, Clostridiaceae, Deinococcaceae, Enterococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Propionibacteriaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae at the Family level only

Region V3 to V4 (Nucleotides 433-682)

Better than region V2 in distinguishing between enterobacteriaceae K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes
Able to detect Actinomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Listeriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Neisseriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at the Family level only

Region V4 to V5 (Nucleotides 576-879)

Able to detect P. acnes and B. cepacia

Region V3 to V5 (Nucleotides 433-879)

Able to detect Coxiellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and unclassified families within Firmicutes amd Tenericutes

Region V4 to V5 (Nucleotides 576-879)

Able to detect P. acnes and B. cepacia

Region V3 to V5 (Nucleotides 433-879)

Able to detect Coxiellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and unclassified families within Firmicutes amd Tenericutes

Region V4 to V5 (Nucleotides 576-879)

Able to detect P. acnes and B. cepacia

Region V3 to V5 (Nucleotides 433-879)

Able to detect Coxiellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and unclassified families within Firmicutes amd Tenericutes

Region V5 to V7 (Nucleotides 822-1173)

Able to detect Cyanobacteria and picocyanobacterial communities, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Cyanobium

Region V5 to V7 (Nucleotides 822-1173)

Able to detect Cyanobacteria and picocyanobacterial communities, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Cyanobium

Region V5 to V7 (Nucleotides 822-1173)

Able to detect Cyanobacteria and picocyanobacterial communities, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Cyanobium

Region V5 to V7 (Nucleotides 822-1173)

Able to detect Cyanobacteria and picocyanobacterial communities, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Cyanobium

Region V5 to V7 (Nucleotides 822-1173)

Able to detect Cyanobacteria and picocyanobacterial communities, such as Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and Cyanobium

Region V7 to V9 (Nucleotides 1117-1465)

Able to detect Veillonella populations
Able to detect Deinococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at Family level only

Region V7 to V9 (Nucleotides 1117-1465)

Able to detect Veillonella populations
Able to detect Deinococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at Family level only

Region V7 to V9 (Nucleotides 1117-1465)

Able to detect Veillonella populations
Able to detect Deinococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at Family level only

Region V7 to V9 (Nucleotides 1117-1465)

Able to detect Veillonella populations
Able to detect Deinococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at Family level only

Region V7 to V9 (Nucleotides 1117-1465)

Able to detect Veillonella populations
Able to detect Deinococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at both the Family and Genus level
Able to detect Enterobacteriaceae at Family level only

Quality In → Quality Out

We believe that the best research starts with quality sample collection and preservation.

Select your sample type: Saliva/Swab Stool/Swab Urine

Saliva DNA Collection and Preservation Devices Dx (Cat. 49000)
CE-IVD marked in accordance with EU Directive 98/79/EC

Buy Now Research Use

Total Nucleic Acid Preservation Tubes Dx (Cat. Dx69200)
CE-IVD marked in accordance with EU Directive 98/79/EC

Buy Now Research Use

Swab Collection and DNA Preservation System (Cat. 45690-B)
For Research Use

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Stool Nucleic Acid Collection and Preservation Devices Dx (Cat. Dx45660)
CE-IVD marked in accordance with EU Directive 98/79/EC

Buy Now Research Use

Stool Nucleic Acid Collection and Preservation System (Cat. 63700)
For Research Use

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Fecal DNA Collection & Preservation Mini Tubes (Cat. 27650)
For Research Use

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Fecal Swab Collection and Preservation System (Cat. 45670)
For Research Use

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Urine Preservation (Cat. 18116, 18118, 18120)
For Research Use

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Urine Collection and Preservation Cup (Cat. 18129)
For Research Use

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Next Generation Sequencing?

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is an important tool used in the field of genomic research as it allows for high throughput and massively parallel sequencing of thousands of molecules simultaneously. NGS provides researchers with fast, scalable solutions for a clear, complete picture of their samples to advance their scientific discoveries.

What is bioinformatics?

Bioinformatics has quickly advanced to become an important and powerful application in biological research. It involves a combination of computational and statistical methods to better understand and analyze scientific data, guiding the research community to new opportunities and novel discoveries. As an emerging discipline, bioinformatics continues to be an essential tool for researchers in many fields including modern molecular biology and clinical research, with its applications leading to significant medical advancements and developments in future research to come.

Why should I choose Norgen for my microbiome sequencing?

Norgen Biotek is an ISO-certified state-of-the-art laboratory specializing in Next Generation Sequencing using the Illumina platform. We provide comprehensive solutions for a wide range of applications including healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring. Our expert scientists have vast experience with challenging sample types and we strive to ensure we support our customers at every stage of their project. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with quality data to accelerate their research in microbiome advancements.

Do you offer extraction services?

Yes. Our comprehensive 16S rRNA Sequencing service includes DNA extraction and QC from any sample type.

What are your sample submission requirements?

Our requirements for sample submission can be found under Step 2: Sample Submission on our Metagenomics NGS Service page.

What amplicon regions do you sequence?

We offer 9 primers which target the 9 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Ranging from V1-V9, each target has a specificity to certain bacterial profiles. For instance, the commonly used V3-V4 region is great for detecting most bacteria at a genus level. If you aren’t sure which region is best for your samples, you can use our interactive Variable Region Diagram, or you can always consult with us and our NGS scientists would be happy to make a recommendation.

What sequencing platform do you sequence on?

We sequence all 16S Metagenomics Sequencing projects on the Illumina MiSeq platform.

What is the depth of coverage Norgen provides?

Norgen’s standard 16S rRNA Sequencing service provides an average of 50K* raw reads per sample. * May differ for low biomass samples. Please contact services@norgenbiotek.com for our recommendations if you are working with low biomass samples.

Does the price include bioinformatics analysis?

Yes. Our comprehensive service includes a full bioinformatics analysis of your raw data. We deliver the bioinformatics analysis in a PDF report and we also provide you with a secure link to download all of your raw data and intermediate files.

What is the typical turnaround time?

Our typical turnaround time is 3-4 weeks from the time of sample receipt. The turnaround time is dependent on the size of your project. Please contact services@norgenbiotek.com to receive an accurate estimated turnaround time.

Norgen is located in Canada. Do you still accept samples from other countries?

Absolutely! We accept samples from countries worldwide and our NGS team will be happy to assist you with making the shipping arrangements.