Metatranscriptomic Analysis Service for Gut Microbiome Functional Activity

At Creative Biolabs, we provide a comprehensive metatranscriptomics service that profiles the gene expression of your microbial community, offering unparalleled insights into its metabolic activity and function. This service is a game-changer for researchers and companies looking to understand host-microbiome interactions, drug efficacy, and the molecular mechanisms behind diseases.

Gut microbiota. (Creative Biolabs Authorized)

Overview

Our metatranscriptomic analysis service provides a comprehensive look into the functional activity of the gut microbiome. While 16S rRNA gene sequencing tells you who is there, metatranscriptomics reveals what they're doing-the specific genes being expressed and the pathways that are actively functioning. This service is essential for researchers looking to move beyond simple community profiling to understand the dynamic, real-time metabolic and enzymatic processes within the gut. We help you connect microbial composition to host phenotype and disease states, providing critical insights for therapeutic development, nutritional interventions, and personalized medicine.

Gut Microbiome Metatranscriptomics Service

Our service is modular and can be customized to your project needs. We offer a full-service solution from sample processing to final report generation.

Workflow

The workflow of metatranscriptomics. (Creative Biolabs Original)

Service Details

Services

Samples

Deliverables

Turnaround Time

Standard Service & Customizable Options

Standard Service

Sample Quality Control: Initial assessment of sample integrity and RNA quality.
Total RNA Extraction: Optimized protocol for various sample types.
Ribosomal RNA Depletion: Removal of both host and microbial rRNA.
Sequencing Library Preparation: High-quality library construction.
Shotgun RNA Sequencing: Deep sequencing on Illumina platforms to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Standard Bioinformatics Analysis:
- Sequence data processing and quality trimming.
- Removal of host reads.
- Taxonomic and functional annotation.
- Differential expression analysis.
- Statistical analysis and data visualization.

Customizable Options

Sequencing Depth: Tailored to your project's specific requirements, from screening to in-depth analysis.
Bioinformatics: Advanced analysis packages, including:
- Integration with other 'omics data (metagenomics, metabolomics).
- Pathway-level analysis and network construction.
- Custom data visualization and interactive dashboards.
- Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Synthesis Profiling: Specific analysis of transcripts related to SCFA production.
- Virulence Factor and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Expression: Targeted analysis of active resistance and virulence genes.

Sample Requirements

Sample Type: Stool is the most common and ideal sample for gut microbiota studies due to its high microbial load. We also accept intestinal biopsies, mucosal swabs, and other sample types.
Sample Volume/Mass: Minimum of 200 mg of frozen stool or 2-4 mL of liquid sample.
Preservation: Samples must be collected and immediately flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen or preserved in an RNA stabilization buffer (e.g., RNA later) to prevent RNA degradation.
Shipping: We provide detailed instructions for cold chain shipping to maintain sample integrity.

Deliverables

Raw Data: Fastq files containing the raw sequencing reads.
Processed Data: Cleaned reads with host contamination removed.
Bioinformatics Results:
- Taxonomic and functional abundance tables.
- Gene expression tables.
- Differential expression analysis results.
- Statistical reports and data visualizations (e.g., heatmaps, volcano plots, and principal component analysis).
Comprehensive Project Report: A detailed document summarizing the methods, key findings, and interpretations of the data, prepared by our scientific team.

Turnaround Time

4-6 weeks from sample receipt to final data delivery.

Ready to uncover the functional secrets of the gut microbiome? Click here to request a quote and consultation!

Our Competitive Advantages

Unrivaled Expertise

Our team consists of Ph.D.-level scientists and bioinformaticians with deep knowledge of microbiome research and advanced sequencing technologies.

Optimized Protocol

We have developed and validated a robust workflow for RNA extraction and rRNA depletion from complex samples, ensuring maximum recovery of microbial mRNA.

Cutting-Edge Technology

We utilize the latest high-throughput sequencing platforms and state-of-the-art bioinformatics pipelines to deliver the highest quality and most comprehensive data.

Customization and Flexibility

Our services are highly adaptable to your unique research questions and project scale.

Integrated Solutions

We can seamlessly integrate metatranscriptomics with our other 'omics services (metagenomics, metabolomics) to provide a complete systems biology picture.

Advanced working platform. (Creative Biolabs Authorized)

Applications

Our Gut Microbiota Metatranscriptomics service is essential for a broad range of applications and is designed to serve a diverse group of clients.

Drug Development: Understanding how a new drug affects the microbial community and if the microbiome's activity, in turn, influences drug metabolism and efficacy (pharmacomicrobiomics).
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Demonstrating the functional impact of live biotherapeutics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions by showing which genes and pathways are activated.
Disease Biomarker Discovery: Identifying unique gene expression signatures of the gut microbiome associated with diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and metabolic disorders.
Nutritional Science: Analyzing how specific diets or nutritional supplements alter the metabolic output of the microbiome.
Host-Microbiome Crosstalk: Uncovering the intricate communication between the host's cells and the gut microbes at the molecular level.

Creative Biolabs' team is ready to help you design a study that answers your most critical research questions. Contact us today to discuss your project and receive a customized quote. Let us help you turn raw data into actionable insights and accelerate your discoveries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does metatranscriptomics differ from metagenomics?

Metagenomics sequences all DNA in a sample, providing a census of the microbial community and its potential functions (who is there and what they could do). Metatranscriptomics sequences all RNA, revealing which genes are actively being expressed and what the community is actually doing at the time of sampling.

Why is RNA isolation so challenging for gut samples?

Gut samples are rich in nucleases that rapidly degrade RNA. They also contain a high percentage of non-coding ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which can obscure the much less abundant messenger RNA (mRNA) if not properly removed. Our protocols are specifically optimized to overcome these challenges.

Can you perform integrated analysis with other omics data?

Yes! We highly recommend and specialize in multi-omics integration. By combining metatranscriptomics with metagenomics and metabolomics, you can connect the genetic potential of the microbiome to its active functions and metabolic output, providing the most complete picture of the ecosystem.

What's the difference between 16S rRNA sequencing and metatranscriptomics?

16S rRNA sequencing identifies the types and relative abundance of bacteria present based on a single, conserved gene. It's a snapshot of the community's composition.
Metatranscriptomics quantifies the gene expression of all active microbes. It tells you what genes are being transcribed into mRNA, providing insights into the community's functional activity at that moment.

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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.