16S rRNA Sequencing Services for Accurate Bacterial Identification
The gold standard for identifying and classifying bacteria. From single cultures to complex environmental microbiomes, our services deliver high precision and fast turnaround.
What is 16S rRNA Sequencing?
The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene is highly conserved in all bacteria and archaea, making it the perfect molecular clock for phylogenetic studies. Because the gene contains 9 hypervariable regions (V1-V9) flanked by conserved regions, universal PCR primers can amplify the target, allowing the hypervariable sequence to determine the exact species.
By sequencing this gene, we can identify bacteria that are difficult or impossible to culture, providing a deeper understanding of microbial diversity.
Sequencing Cost and Turnaround Time in India
Yaazh Xenomics offers highly competitive pricing for 16S rRNA sequencing in India. Our standard turnaround time is 7-10 days for Sanger sequencing and 15-20 days for NGS metagenomics.
Key Benefits of Choosing Yaazh Xenomics
Gold Standard Accuracy
Confidently identify bacterial isolates to the species or genus level using both Sanger and NGS technologies.
Culture-Independent
Identify unculturable bacteria in complex environmental or clinical samples.
Broad Applicability
Perfect for taxonomy, phylogenetics, food safety, and microbiome research.
Workflow / Steps
DNA Extraction
We extract DNA from various sample types, including soil, water, feces, swabs, and pure cultures.
PCR Amplification
Targeted amplification of the 16S rRNA gene (Full-length ~1500 bp for Sanger, or V3-V4 for NGS).
Library Prep & Sequencing
Sanger Sequencing for isolated colonies. Illumina NovaSeq for microbiome profiling (NGS). Oxford Nanopore for full-length 16S microbiome reads.
Bioinformatics
Sequence quality check and denoising. Taxonomic assignment against databases (SILVA, Greengenes, NCBI). Phylogenetic tree construction. Diversity analysis (Alpha & Beta diversity) for microbiome samples.
Why Sequencing Coverage & Contamination Control Matter
Improving Coverage
Low sequencing depth can miss rare taxa in a complex microbiome. We ensure high-depth sequencing (>100k reads per sample) to capture the full diversity profile.
Contamination Mitigation
- Strict clean-room protocols during extraction.
- Routine processing of negative control blanks to identify kitome noise.
- Automated bioinformatic filtering of known contaminants.
Pros & Cons of 16S rRNA Sequencing
Advantages
- ✓ Cost-effective for large-scale microbiome profiling.
- ✓ Extensive, highly curated databases (SILVA, Greengenes).
- ✓ Ideal for identifying unculturable or novel bacteria.
Limitations
- ✗ Generally limited to genus-level identification for NGS short reads. (Full-length Nanopore/Sanger can reach species level).
- ✗ Cannot identify viruses or fungi.
- ✗ Does not provide functional data (What are the bacteria doing?).
To overcome these limitations for complex microbiomes, consider Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing
Applications of 16S rRNA Sequencing
- •Gut Microbiome Studies: Dysbiosis, probiotics efficacy.
- •Environmental Microbiology: Soil, water, and extreme habitats.
- •Pathogen Identification: In clinical and veterinary samples.
- •Food Safety: Quality control and fermentation monitoring.
- •Novel Bacteria: Discovery and characterization of new species.
Ready to identify your bacteria?
Contact us today for a free consultation on sample preparation and sequencing options.