In the realm of bioenvironmental science, understanding microbial communities is paramount. Microorganisms play critical roles in various ecological processes, including nutrient cycling, bioremediation, and ecosystem functioning. Identifying and characterizing these microbial communities is essential for assessing environmental health, monitoring changes, and developing effective bioremediation strategies.
One powerful technique for microbial community analysis is 16S sequencing. This method targets the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, a highly conserved genetic marker present in all bacteria and archaea. By sequencing this gene, we can identify and differentiate microorganisms, providing valuable insights into the composition and diversity of microbial communities.
Fig 1. 16S rRNA gene sequencing for species and strain-level microbiome analysis (Jethro S., 2019)
Service Overview
Our company offers comprehensive 16S sequencing services tailored to diverse bioenvironmental applications. We leverage cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics expertise to deliver accurate and reliable results, empowering you to make informed decisions regarding environmental management and bioremediation strategies.
Technological Principles
16S sequencing exploits the unique characteristics of the 16S rRNA gene, a genetic marker found in all bacteria and archaea. This gene comprises conserved and variable regions. The conserved regions enable universal amplification using PCR, while the variable regions allow for taxonomic differentiation.
The process involves extracting DNA from an environmental sample, such as soil, water, or sediment. The 16S rRNA gene is then amplified using PCR and sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technologies. The resulting sequences are analyzed using bioinformatics tools to identify and classify the microorganisms present in the sample.
Technical Features
- Culture-Independent: 16S sequencing bypasses the need for culturing microorganisms, enabling the detection of unculturable or difficult-to-culture species.
- High Throughput: High-throughput sequencing technologies allow for the analysis of multiple samples simultaneously, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
- Species-Level Resolution: 16S sequencing can provide species-level identification for many bacteria and archaea, facilitating detailed community profiling.
- Quantitative Analysis: 16S sequencing data can be used to estimate the relative abundance of different microorganisms in a sample, providing insights into community structure.
Technical Classifications
16S sequencing can be broadly classified into two main approaches:
- Full-Length 16S Sequencing: This approach sequences the entire 16S rRNA gene, providing higher resolution for taxonomic identification.
- Partial 16S Sequencing: This approach sequences specific variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene, offering a cost-effective solution for community profiling.
Application Areas in Bioenvironmental Science
- Microbial Community Profiling: Characterizing the composition and diversity of microbial communities in various environments, such as soil, water, and air.
- Bioremediation Monitoring: Assessing the effectiveness of bioremediation strategies by tracking changes in microbial community structure.
- Pollution Source Tracking: Identifying sources of pollution by analyzing microbial communities in contaminated environments.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: Evaluating the impact of human activities or natural events on microbial communities.
- Bioprospecting: Discovering novel microorganisms with potential applications in biotechnology and bioremediation.
Environmental Benefits
- Enhanced Bioremediation: By providing insights into microbial communities involved in bioremediation, 16S sequencing enables the optimization of strategies for pollutant removal.
- Pollution Monitoring and Control: 16S sequencing aids in identifying pollution sources and monitoring the effectiveness of pollution control measures.
- Ecosystem Health Assessment: Monitoring microbial communities provides valuable information on ecosystem health and resilience.
- Sustainable Resource Management: 16S sequencing can guide the development of sustainable practices for resource management, such as agriculture and wastewater treatment.
Our Services
At our bioenvironmental company, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive suite of 16S rRNA gene sequencing services designed to meet the diverse needs of researchers and industry professionals. Our services are tailored to identify and classify bacteria present in complex biological samples, providing insights into microbial communities that are pivotal to environmental conservation and various scientific research:
- DNA Extraction and Purification: We utilize DNA KF Kit for DNA extraction, ensuring a balance of DNA yield and quality across a variety of sample types.
- PCR Amplification and Library Preparation: Our high-fidelity Phusion polymerase amplifies 16S and ITS2 marker genes, with dual-barcoded primers enabling multiplexing up to 384 samples per run.
- High-Throughput Sequencing: We employ many platforms, offering 2 x 300 bp reads with Unique Dual Indexing (UDI) for robust sequencing capabilities.
- Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis: Our reports include compositional bar plots, taxonomy heatmaps, alpha-diversity, and beta diversity analyses, along with group comparisons and LEfSe biomarker discovery.
- Species-Level Identification: By combining sequencing error correction methods with a curated 16S rRNA database, we achieve taxonomic identification down to the species level.
- Absolute Abundance Quantification: We provide insights into microbial community dynamics by quantifying absolute 16S or ITS gene copy numbers using qPCR with library preparation primers.
- Quality Control and Assurance: We include positive controls for DNA extraction and library preparation in each project, with results reported in the final project report. Negative extraction and qPCR controls are also monitored.
- Data Visualization and Statistical Analysis: We offer visualizations such as absolute abundance boxplots, taxa abundance barplots, and heatmaps, along with advanced statistical analyses like LEfSe to uncover differentially distributed taxa.
- Long-Term Data Storage: Raw sequencing data and analysis reports are securely stored for up to 3 months, ensuring accessibility for future reference.
Distinctive Service Features
- Industry-Leading Turnaround Time: From extraction to sequencing results, we deliver in as little as 2 weeks, ensuring rapid insights into your microbial communities.
- Unrivaled Data Quality: Our species-level resolution, powered by a curated 16S rRNA database, ensures accurate and reliable identification of microbial species.
- Rigorously Optimized Processes: Continuous monitoring with mock community controls guarantees data accuracy and consistency, eliminating run-to-run variations.
- Expert Bioinformatics Support: Our team of expert bioinformaticians simplifies the interpretation of 16S/ITS amplicon sequencing data, helping you extract the most value from your samples.
Contact Us
By choosing our 16S rRNA gene sequencing services, you are partnering with a company committed to excellence in microbial identification and community analysis, providing you with the tools and expertise to advance your research or applications, please contact us and confirm with our team for more information.
How to Place an Order
Reference
- Jethro S., Daniel J., et al. "Evaluation of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for species and strain-level microbiome analysis" Nature Communications 2019, 10:5029.
Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
16S Sequencing
