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Accurate Microbial Quantification: Absolute Quantitative 16S Microbiome Sequencing Service

At Creative Biolabs, we understand that gaining a complete picture of microbial communities requires more than just relative abundance data. Our Absolute Quantitative 16S Microbiome Sequencing Services provide unparalleled precision by determining the actual number or concentration of microorganisms in your samples, offering a deeper and more accurate understanding of microbial load and community dynamics. Whether your research demands high-throughput analysis of specific variable regions or the ultimate resolution of full-length 16S sequences, we integrate robust absolute quantification methods to deliver truly actionable insights for your projects. Request a quote

Our Core Absolute Quantitative Sequencing Services

Workflow

Fig. 2 Gut-Liver Chip Model for Microbial Metabolite Evaluation Workflow. (Creative Biolabs Original)

Service Details

Sequencing Types
Samples
Turnaround Time
Deliverables

Sequencing Types

  • Highly Variable Region 16S Sequencing (e.g., V3-V4, V4)

Targets one or two specific hypervariable regions (e.g., V3-V4, V4, V1-V2) of the 16S rRNA gene, which offer sufficient sequence diversity for taxonomic differentiation.

  • Full-Length 16S Sequencing

Amplifies and sequences the entire ~1500 bp 16S rRNA gene, providing comprehensive phylogenetic information across all nine hypervariable regions.

Sample Information & Requirements

Sample Types
  • Human/Animal: Stool, saliva, skin swabs, tissue biopsies, gut contents, urine, vaginal swabs, oral swabs.
  • Environmental: Soil, water (freshwater, marine), sediment, wastewater, air filters.
  • Other: Fermented foods, industrial samples, bio-films.
  • If your sample type is not listed, please contact us for evaluation.
Minimum Sample Quantity/Concentration (General Guidelines)
  • Raw Samples
    • Stool: ≥200 mg
    • Soil: ≥500 mg
    • Water: ≥500 mL (filtered, filter submitted)
    • Swabs: Submit the entire swab
    • Tissue: ≥20 mg
  • Extracted DNA
    • Minimum Amount: ≥100 ng
    • Minimum Concentration: ≥10 ng/µL
    • Purity: A260/280 ratio between 1.8-2.0; A260/230 ratio ≥1.8 (for extracted DNA).
Sample Storage & Shipping
  • Storage: Store samples immediately at −80℃ (preferred) or −20℃ for short-term.
  • Shipping: Ship samples on dry ice (for frozen samples) or with ice packs (for refrigerated samples) via overnight courier. Please contact us for detailed shipping instructions and required documentation.

Turnaround Time

  • Highly Variable Region 16S (with Absolute Quantification)
    Standard: 4−6 weeks from sample QC approval to data delivery.
  • Full-Length 16S (with Absolute Quantification)
    Standard: 6−9 weeks from sample QC approval to data delivery.

Expedited services may be available upon request. Please inquire during consultation.

Delivery Standards

Deliverable Components Content Specifications
Raw Data
  • FASTQ files for all sequenced reads.
Processed Data
  • Quality-filtered reads.
  • ASV/OTU tables (counts per sample).
  • Taxonomic assignment tables (from phylum to species level).
  • Absolute Abundance Tables: Calculated copy numbers or concentrations for each taxon.
Bioinformatics Reports
  • Detailed methodology.
  • Quality control metrics.
  • Alpha diversity metrics and plots (e.g., Shannon, Chao1, rarefaction curves).
  • Beta diversity analyses and visualizations (e.g., PCoA plots).
  • Taxonomic bar plots and heatmaps.
  • Differential abundance analysis results (if applicable).
  • Statistical summaries and interpretation.
Visualizations
  • High-resolution figures and plots suitable for presentations and publications.

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Key Advantages of Choosing Creative Biolabs

  • Unrivaled Accuracy: Our integrated absolute quantification methods provide the most precise microbial counts.
  • Dual Expertise: Proficiency in both highly variable regions and full-length 16S sequencing to match your resolution needs.
  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Access to the latest short-read and long-read sequencing platforms.
  • Comprehensive Bioinformatics: Robust, validated pipelines and expert analysis for deep insights.
  • Flexible & Customizable Solutions: Services tailored to your specific research questions and sample types.
  • Dedicated Project Management: Personalized support from consultation to data delivery.
  • Publication-Ready Data: High-quality results and reports designed for scientific dissemination.
Fig.1 Development of diagnostic tools for fungal infections. (Creative Biolabs Authorized)

Target Customer Groups

Our Absolute Quantitative 16S Microbiome Sequencing Services are invaluable for a wide range of researchers and industries, including:

  • Academic Researchers: Microbiologists, ecologists, immunologists, nutritionists, and clinicians studying host-microbe interactions, environmental microbiology, and disease pathogenesis.
  • Pharmaceutical & Biotech Companies: Drug discovery, probiotic development, biomarker identification, and clinical trial support.
  • Agricultural & Food Industries: Soil health, plant microbiome, animal gut health, food safety, and fermentation processes.
  • Environmental Monitoring Agencies: Water quality, bioremediation, and ecosystem health assessments.
  • Cosmetic & Personal Care Industries: Skin microbiome research and product development.

Ready to Quantify Your Microbiome with Unprecedented Accuracy?

Move beyond relative insights and embrace the precision of Absolute Quantitative 16S Microbiome Sequencing. Contact us today to discuss your project and receive a customized quote. Our experts are ready to partner with you to unlock the full potential of your microbiome research.

FAQs

Why do I need absolute quantification if I already have relative abundance data?

Relative abundance data can be misleading if the total microbial load changes. Absolute quantification provides the actual numbers of microbes, allowing you to differentiate between true changes in population size and mere shifts in proportions within a community. This is crucial for understanding microbial dynamics and for comparing samples with different total biomass.

Which 16S region should I choose: highly variable or full-length?

The choice depends on your research goals.

  • Highly variable regions (e.g., V3-V4) are cost-effective and high-throughput, suitable for large-scale studies and general community profiling at the genus level.
  • Full-length 16S offers superior taxonomic resolution, allowing for species and even strain-level identification, ideal for in-depth studies, novel microbe discovery, and when fine-grained differentiation is critical. Our team can help you make the best choice during consultation.

How do you perform absolute quantification?

We primarily use spike-in controls, where a known amount of non-native DNA is added to your samples at the beginning of the process. By comparing its reads to your sample's reads, we calculate absolute copy numbers. We also offer qPCR integration for total microbial load quantification and digital PCR (dPCR) for ultra-sensitive, direct absolute counts if required.

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For Research Use Only. Not intended for use in food manufacturing or medical procedures (diagnostics or therapeutics). Do Not Use in Humans.

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