Start with your question, not the sequencer
The first decision in a metagenomics study is what you need to know about the microbial community. That determines everything downstream.
Tell us your sample type, your research question and the microbial information you need to recover. We will tell you which approach fits and quote it in writing within one working day.
Choose the level of resolution your study needs
Three scenarios, and it is usually obvious at feasibility which one you are in.
What you gain
Multiple sequencing approaches. 16S, 18S and whole metagenome shotgun
Broad microbial characterisation across bacteria, archaea, fungi, eukaryotic microorganisms and, with shotgun sequencing, viruses
Functional profiling through whole metagenome shotgun sequencing
Species-level taxonomic classification using established reference databases
Diversity analysis across microbial communities
Custom analysis workflows built around specific research questions
Extraction in-house, so extraction chemistry and library preparation are chosen together
Environmental and specialist matrices supported
Sequencing alongside proteomics. Where a study looks at host response as well as microbial community, both readouts can come from the same samples and the same laboratory
BIOINFORMATICS
Databases and functional analysis
Reference databases
Taxonomic classification against SILVA, RDP or NCBI, selected according to the study and the organisms of interest.
Functional analysis
Whole metagenome data supports MetaCyc pathway analysis and metabolic potential prediction.
development method
Sample types and extraction
Configuration is selected according to required read length, sequencing depth and project scale.
how it works
From sample to microbial profile
1. Sample submission
Samples arrive with a description of sample type, study design and relevant handling information. Collection and storage history matters in metagenomics more than in most sequencing work, so tell us.
2. DNA extraction and QC
Where extraction is required, DNA is extracted in-house and assessed before sequencing.
3. Library preparation
Target-specific or shotgun library preparation, selected according to the study design.
4. Sequencing
On the Element AVITI platform at an appropriate depth for the approach and the question.
5. Data delivery
Demultiplexed FASTQ files as the standard sequencing output, delivered by secure link.
6. Bioinformatics and analysis
Where scoped: quality filtering, taxonomic assignment, statistical analysis, visualisation and reporting.
THE ALTHEOME DIFFERENCE
Why partner with Altheome
Metagenomics is more than a sequencing problem. The biological answer depends on what was collected, how DNA was extracted, which sequencing strategy was chosen, and what the resulting data can reliably support. Any one of those can invalidate the others.
Extraction and sequencing in one place
Strategy defined around the question
Custom workflows
Host and microbiome together
Where a study needs host immune response alongside microbial community, proteomics and sequencing come from the same samples in the same laboratory.
Quality framework
HTA licence 12818, the UK framework governing the storage and use of human tissue. GCP-compliant workflows. Aligned to ISO 15189, the international standard for medical laboratories.
Ready to explore your microbial community?
Tell us about your samples, your research question and the microbial information you need to recover. We will define the appropriate sequencing and analysis approach and quote it in writing.