Microbial Sequencing

16S/18S/ITS amplicon sequencing is a widely used method for the identification and differentiation of microbial species. Short hypervariable regions of conserved genes or intergenic regions—such as the 16S region of bacteria and archaea or the 18S/ITS region of fungi—are amplified by PCR and subsequently analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The resulting data can be applied to numerous areas within the field of microbial research.

5R 16S sequencing is a microbiota analysis approach used in 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for metagenomic studies. This method employs multiplexed PCR amplification and sequencing of five distinct regions of the 16S rRNA gene, improving coverage and reducing interference from host DNA during bacterial 16S rDNA amplification—particularly in tissue samples. As part of an advanced 16S metagenomic workflow, it also incorporates a dedicated contaminant filtration process. Together, these features enable more comprehensive and accurate profiling of microbiota composition and function, even in samples with low microbial biomass and a high proportion of host DNA.

Metagenomics is the study of genetic material obtained directly from complex environmental or host-associated samples, such as soil, water, or the gastrointestinal tract. Shotgun metagenomic analysis is a widely used sequencing approach that enables comprehensive profiling of entire microbial communities. Unlike targeted methods, it captures all genetic content within a sample, allowing for detailed insights into microbial species identification, classification, and relative abundance. In addition, this approach provides valuable information on functional genes, variation between samples, and the metabolic pathways that shape microbial activity and interactions.