Sequence Smarter. Discover More.

Sequencing and bioinformatics from genomics experts

Get high volume sequencing:

Our short read sequencing service provides 150bp paired end reads.

Short reads can be useful for a range of applications, including:

Advantages of short read sequencing include high read accuracy (Q30+) and high throughput, both of which are important for applications like variant calling.

For an extra fee we can use a PCR-free library prep method to support your sensitive applications. This method requires higher DNA input (>20ng/ul), but it avoids PCR bias and reduces overall sequence error.

Data will be delivered via Box or AWS S3, (your choice)  in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

If providing gDNA, we request a concentration of >10ng/ul in a volume of at least 30ul. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. Use water or dilute TE for elution.

For phage sequencing, we recommend our Small, 200 Mbp Illumina short read service.

SeqCoast is an Oxford Nanopore Service Certified laboratory! Our certification ensures that SeqCoast can offer the highest quality services using Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Our long read sequencing service provides reads up to 100kbp (occasionally much longer) in length. To maximize read length we strongly recommend using our extraction service, because long DNA fragments may shear during shipping and with some extraction methods.

Long reads can be useful for a range of applications, including:

 

Advantages of long read sequencing include library prep method flexibility (can sequence native strands!), the ability to sequence low-diversity amplicons, and drastic improvements to genome assemblies, especially when combined with short reads.

Data will be delivered via Box or AWS S3 (your choice), in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

If providing gDNA, please send >40ng/ul in a volume of at least 60ul. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. Use water or dilute TE for elution.

Please contact us for pricing of long read (Nanopore) strain typing.

Our convenient and comprehensive strain typing service bundles bead-beating extraction, short read sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis to produce reports on the MLST type of your strain of interest.

This service is especially useful for projects involving epidemiological surveillance, because it can help reveal whether strains of the same species are closely related (suggesting an outbreak) or distantly related (suggesting independent origins).

“Strain typing methodologies have recently undergone a paradigm shift as whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has become cheaper and more accessible to clinical and public health laboratories. WGS provides unmatched resolution and discriminatory power for highly related strains, and it has significant potential for outbreak detection, epidemiological surveillance, and infection control strategies.” Simar, et al, 2021

Please submit frozen cell pellets (50-100mg) or sealed, pre-grown agar plates.

Amplicon sequencing is a good first step to understanding which microbes are present and their relative abundance. To gather even more information about mixed-species populations, consider using shotgun sequencing and combining with our comprehensive metagenome analyses.

  • Our 16S Illumina service provides 300bp paired end reads. Standard primers are 341F and 806R, which amplify the V3/V4 hypervariable regions.
  • Our full-length 16S Nanopore service provides the entire 16S sequence, roughly 1500bp in length. Full-length 16S provides better species and strain-level resolution than Illumina-based datasets. Custom primers for ITS and other amplicons are available. Bulk pricing for full-length 16S starts at 12 samples, contact us for more information!

 

16S amplicon sequencing is useful for examining the species diversity and abundance of a microbial community. Some examples of complex microbial communities:

  • Gut microbiome
  • Soil communities
  • Marine microbial communities
  • Synthetic microbial consortia

 

Need analysis? Inquire about our amplicon bioinformatics reports that provide community composition and diversity metrics, in both table and graph formats.

If providing gDNA, we request a concentration of >10ng/ul in a volume of at least 30ul. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. Use water as the diluent. Samples must be free of PCR inhibitors, including EDTA. Sequencing data will be delivered in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

This hybrid sequencing strategy is especially useful for building robust reference genomes; the long reads drastically reduce the number of contigs and the depth afforded by the short reads increases the confidence of each nucleotide position.

This bundled service provides:

  • High molecular weight gDNA extraction
  • >50X coverage for short reads (Illumina, 2x150bp)
  • >30X coverage for long reads (Oxford Nanopore)

 

To generate high-quality reference assemblies, we recommend pairing this sequencing bundle with bioinformatics services:

  • Assembly
  • Annotation

 

To maximize length of long reads, we strongly recommend using our extraction service, because long DNA fragments may shear during shipping and with some extraction methods.

If providing gDNA, please send >40ng/ul in a volume of at least 60ul. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. Use water or dilute TE for elution.

Data will be delivered via Box in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

Our RNA sequencing services provide 150bp paired end reads, and our RNAseq protocols are stranded.

Because eukaryotic mRNA has a poly-A tail, we use the poly-A enrichment method to reduce the quantity of rRNA in the sample and enrich for mRNA. Please note that poly-A enrichment is not suitable for bacterial samples.

RNAseq is useful for:

  • sensitive, accurate gene expression analyses that connect the genome to active transcription
  • metatranscriptomics to get a snapshot of a population’s gene expression

RNAseq agnostically captures the full transcriptome, unlike probe-based methods such as microarrays. While it may be helpful for downstream analyses, no reference sequence is necessary to perform RNAseq.

We recommend pairing RNAseq with differential expression analysis.

Please send >50ng/ul of RNA in a volume of at least 20ul, shipped frozen on dry ice. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. DNAse treatment during extraction is highly recommended. For optimal results, the RIN should be at least 7.

Data will be delivered via Box in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

Our RNA sequencing services provide 150bp paired end reads, and our RNAseq protocols are stranded.

Because bacterial mRNA does not have a poly-A tail, we use a method called ribodepletion to reduce the quantity of rRNA in the sample. Ribodepletion is also compatible with eukaryotic samples, but poly-A tail enrichment may be a better choice for these samples.

RNAseq is useful for:

  • sensitive, accurate gene expression analyses that connect the genome to active transcription
  • metatranscriptomics to get a snapshot of a population’s gene expression

RNAseq agnostically captures the full transcriptome, unlike probe-based methods such as microarrays. While it may be helpful for downstream analyses, no reference sequence is necessary to perform RNAseq.

We recommend pairing RNAseq with differential expression analysis.

Please send >50ng/ul of RNA in a volume of at least 20ul, shipped frozen on dry ice. We prefer that sample concentrations be quantified by Qubit or other fluorometry-based techniques, as Nanodrop methods tend to overestimate quantity. DNAse treatment during extraction is highly recommended. For optimal results, the RIN should be at least 7.

Data will be delivered via Box in FASTQ format, along with methods and QC reports.

Our extraction service leverages bead-beating lysis to ensure efficient processing of even the toughest microbes! Our standard DNA extraction service accommodates:

  • Organisms that are BSL2 and below
  • Frozen cell pellets with a wet weight of ~50-100mg, OR
  • Sealed, pre-grown agar plates with robust growth

 

Note that if you are shipping sporulating fungi for extraction we request that you send a frozen cell pellet, rather than pre-grown agar plates.

 

Need DNA extracted from more complex samples?

For challenging extractions, we offer higher-level services tailored to your unique needs. Please contact us for custom extraction needs!

We now offer an SPRI bead clean and concentrate service! This is a great solution when your samples are either too dilute or are suspected to contain contaminants from the extraction process that will interfere with sequencing. Sample recovery by SPRI beads is usually >90%, and elution can be done in as little as 20ul.

SPRI bead cleanup can help remove common contaminants, such as:

  • excessive EDTA
  • salts
  • phenol
  • ethanol/isopropanol

We are proud to offer world-class bioinformatics support!

We can work with you from initial data analysis through producing publication-ready figures. Our experts will tailor the level of support to your needs – whether you are a beginner that needs help with the very basics or an experienced power-user looking to reduce your workload.

Custom bioinformatics

Match our microbial genomics expertise to your exact needs. Please Contact Us for a custom quote.

Variant calling

Our variant calling service includes mapping of short reads against a reference genome. This reference genome could be a published sequence in a public database or could be generated from a sequenced sample (see Genome assembly service below).

Our service uses the best-of-class Breseq software to provide you with intuitive insights into the genetic differences between your sample and the genome reference. This analysis is particularly useful for sets of closely related genomes, like those generated during short-term experimental evolution.

If you are interested in confirming a genetic construct, please refer to our “Construct Validation” service.

Included with the standard service ($20/sample):

  • Variant calling analysis using Breseq
  • Consolidation of Breseq output files into a set of summary files in CSV files.
  • A colorblind-friendly graphic visualization of differences across your genomes.
  • README file with walkthrough to Breseq output and links to further reading

Included with deluxe service ($40/sample):

  • Everything that is part of standard service
  • Filtration of likely false positive mutations
  • Copy number variation analysis and visualization using the R package CNOGpro.

Genome assembly

Our genome assembly service includes reference-based (if reference sequence is available) or de novo assembly of sequenced short and/or long reads.

  • Prokaryotes: Hybrid genome assembly using Unicycler
  • Eukaryotes: Hybrid genome assembly using a combination of SPAdes, Flye, and CANU assemblers,  followed by polishing of assemblies with Illumina shorts reads using the Pilon software.

Amplicon/microbiome profiling

Our amplicon/microbiome profiling services includes analysis of amplicon reads using Qiime2. This includes decontamination, generation of OTU/ASV tables, taxonomic profiling, and basic diversity estimates (including community ordination and dissimilarity analyses) using the R package Vegan

Please reach out to us for a custom quote if you’re interested in additional comparative analyses between samples.

Differential expression analysis

We offer basic analyses of RNA sequencing data. Specifically, we use Kallisto to estimate gene expression levels.  We also use DESeq2 to estimate differential expression between samples and process the output into a user-friendly document that includes volcano plots for user-specified comparisons, as well as data files that are amenable to additional downstream processing.

Our differential expression analysis services are typically charged on a per-sample basis. Please reach out to us describing your experimental design if you are unsure what quantity to order for differential expression analysis or if you are interested in comparing more than two variables.

Annotation

Our comprehensive annotation pipeline includes gene prediction, as well as functional annotation of protein-coding (CDS) and non-coding (e.g., tRNAs, rRNA) genes. Included in this service:

  • Basic annotation: gene prediction and annotation using Bakta
  • Prediction of functional gene clusters (KEGG and COG), as well as protein and gene family domain identification (Pfam and TIGRFAMS) using eggNOG-mapper
  • Taxonomic profiling of genes and contigs (including identification of contaminants, pathogens, and symbionts) using SprayNPray.
  • Targeted annotation of specific genes and gene pathways (upon customer request, and subject to additional charges)

Phylogenomics and tree-building

We offer a variety of analyses for metagenomic studies. These range from assembly of sequenced reads into longer contiguous sequences (called contigs or scaffolds) to reconstruction and curation of metagenome-derived genomes.

Metagenome assembly and binning

We offer a variety of analyses for metagenomic studies. These range from assembly of sequenced reads into longer contiguous sequences (called contigs or scaffolds) to reconstruction and curation of metagenome-derived genomes.

  • Assembly: Megahit and metaSPAdes are used to assemble high-quality reads.
  • Assembly with binning and bin curation: Assembly with Megahit and metaSPAdes, followed by unsupervised binning with MetaBAT. Draft genome bins are then manually curated using a variety of software, including SprayNPray, BinaRena, and CheckM.

Taxonomic classification and phylogenomics (strain-typing)

We offer strain and species-level classification of sequenced samples using Kraken and MASH. This service Includes generation of Krona Graphs using KronaTools, as well as a phylogenomic tree using GToTree. The phylogenomic tree is built using the sequenced genome and its closest relatives available on NCBI.

Construct validation $150/sample

As a service, we bioinformatically validate genetically engineered samples and genomes. We quickly confirm the presence or absence of knock-ins and knock-outs, and identify other (off target) mutations.

Consultation

All bioinformatics analyses include a summary report that describes the provided files, as well as the steps taken to generate those files. To gain further insight and to plan new analyses, we also offer consultation (virtual/Zoom) sessions with a bioinformatics specialist.

Looking for detailed guidance on selecting the right sequencing approach for your science? Our consultation services provide expert advice tailored to your project's needs.