Metagenomic for Gut Microbiota Research

Q: What is metagenomics and how is it used in gut microbiota research?

Investigating the shared genetic landscape of a microbial collective – that's metagenomics. For us in gut microbiota research, this means directly accessing and scrutinizing the entire genetic makeup of the gut's microbial inhabitants, revealing their variety, capabilities, and ecological interplay.

Q: What categories of microorganisms are examined using gut microbiota metagenomics?

Our analyses in gut microbiota metagenomics encompass a diverse range of microorganisms, specifically including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses found within the gut environment.

Q: How do 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics differ?

Metagenomic investigations of the gut microbiome employ different approaches. 16S rRNA sequencing targets a specific gene for classifying bacteria and archaea. In contrast, shotgun metagenomics sequences all DNA in a sample, yielding a wider understanding of the microbial community's composition and functional capacity, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses.

Q: What kind of data reports are generated?

Our services deliver comprehensive reports detailing the structure of the microbial community, the variety of species present, their functional potential, and thorough statistical analyses. This information is presented alongside intuitive visual tools to facilitate effective data interpretation.

Rigorous metagenomic approaches are now indispensable for a comprehensive interrogation of the intricate gut microbiota. Creative Biolabs' services provide a multifaceted analytical framework meticulously designed to unravel the compositional architecture and functional capacities of gastrointestinal microbial ecosystems. From the critical initial stages of sample acquisition through to the generation of meaningful, interpretable datasets, we offer a cohesive and expertly managed workflow. Collaborating with Creative Biolabs ensures access to dependable outcomes and the guidance of experienced professionals in this evolving field. Request a quote.

Comprehensive Gut Microbiota Metagenomics Solutions

Workflow

Fig.1 Workflow of sequencing. (Creative Biolabs Original)

Sample Handling and Preparation

Sample Collection: Providing standardized and optimized protocols for fecal sample collection, storage, and transport.
DNA Extraction: Obtain high-quality, representative microbial DNA.
DNA Quality Assessment: Assess the purity, concentration, and integrity of extracted DNA.

Acceptable Fecal Sample Sources		Research Objectives
Humans	Fecal samples	Gut microbial ecology is extensively investigated for its implications for human health, with substantial research targeting its role in obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disease pathogenesis.
Laboratory Animals	Mice and Rats Non-Human Primates	Widely used as model organisms for preclinical research on gut microbiota and host-microbe interactions. Studied for insights into evolutionary and translational research.
Domesticated Animals	Cows and Sheep Pigs Dogs and Cats	Analyzed to study ruminant digestion and its impact on livestock health and agricultural productivity. Studied as a model for human gastrointestinal physiology and in agricultural research. Researched to improve understanding of pet health, nutrition, and diseases.
Wildlife	Birds Fish Herbivores	Studies are designed to characterize gut microbiota in aquatic environments and aquaculture systems. To determine microbial contributions to cellulose digestion within broader environmental microbiome contexts.
Insects	Termites Beetles	Species like termites and beetles are analyzed to study gut microbial roles in digestion and nutrient recycling.

Sequencing Services

Fig.2 Metagenomic sequencing. (Creative Biolabs Authorised)

Shotgun metagenomics: delivers a comprehensive analysis of microbial community composition and function, facilitating the identification of diverse taxa, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, and providing in-depth functional and metabolic insights.
Targeted Metagenomics (If applicable): Describing sequencing specific genes or genomic regions of interest (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes).

Bioinformatics and Data Analysis

Raw Data Processing
Taxonomic Profiling
- Generating community composition reports and visualizations (e.g., bar charts, pie charts).
- Describing the level of taxonomic resolution (e.g., genus, species).
Functional Profiling:
- Predicting metabolic pathways and functional genes using databases like KEGG, GO, and MetaCyc.
- Providing insights into the functional potential of the gut microbiome.
Statistical Analysis:
- Performing alpha and beta diversity analysis to assess microbial diversity within and between samples.
- Conducting differential abundance analysis to identify significant differences in microbial composition between groups.
Data Visualization: Generating heatmaps, bar charts, PCoA plots, and other graphical representations.

Additional Services

Strain-Level Analysis
Custom Bioinformatics Analysis.
Long-Read Sequencing Analysis

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Deliverables

The final deliverables are designed to provide clients with clear, actionable insights derived from the complex metagenomic data.

Items	Contents
Comprehensive Reports	Summarizing the findings of the metagenomic analysis Methodology descriptions and quality control measures. Statistical significance and biological relevance of the results.
Raw Sequencing Data	FASTQ Files Quality Control Reports: Including metrics like read length, quality scores, and adapter contamination.
Additional Deliverables	Custom Bioinformatics Pipelines Strain-Level Analysis Reports Long read sequencing specific data

Applications

Understanding Gut Microbiome Composition and Diversity

Investigating Gut Microbiome Function

Exploring Gut Microbiome Associations with Health and Disease

Developing Microbiome-Targeted Therapies

Personalized Nutrition and Medicine

Agricultural and Veterinary Applications

Environmental Applications

Fig.3 Study on intestinal flora in mice. (Creative Biolabs Authorised)

For progress in your exploration of the intricate gut microbiome, our experienced scientific personnel at Creative Biolabs recommend direct interaction. Contact us for a comprehensive discussion to jointly establish your precise research goals, allowing us to then offer a personalized estimate suited to your experimental demands.

Metagenomics Services FAQs

What is metagenomics and how is it used in gut microbiota research?

What categories of microorganisms are examined using gut microbiota metagenomics?

How do 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics differ?

What kind of data reports are generated?

Customer Reviews

"In our extensive investigation into inflammatory bowel disease at the University of C***, we employed the metagenomics sequencing capabilities of Creative Biolabs. The reliable consistency and depth of the generated data, along with their bioinformatics expertise, proved critical for our intricate analyses. The accessibility of raw data and the clarity of their reporting facilitated thorough examination. We highly value their stringent quality assurance protocols and anticipate continued collaboration for our research endeavors."

"Creative Biolabs has consistently demonstrated its reliability as a partner in our microbiome-based therapeutic development efforts, delivering the accurate and reproducible metagenomics data essential for our research. Their capacity for handling large sample cohorts, rigorous compliance with standardized procedures, and prompt processing times have been indispensable for adhering to our clinical trial timelines. Moreover, the validation datasets they furnish are a crucial resource for our internal quality assurance measures."

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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.