16S Amplicon Analysis

1928 enables fast and culture-free 16S Amplicon Analysis for Healthcare, Food Production and Environmental Studies

The world of bacterial metagenomics starts with analyzing the 16S rRNA gene. This widely used method for species identification has moved from Sanger sequencing to the NGS platforms and offers new opportunities.

With the 1928 16S analysis you get insights into the bacterial composition of your sample in minutes. Whether it is for a single sample or comparative studies, the platform offers you several possibilities to analyze and visualize your data.

What is 16S?

16S is a gene found in all bacteria and consists of several conserved and variable regions. By using readily available primer kits, one or several variable regions can be sequenced and subsequently compared to a database. The result is a table of relative abundances across different taxonomic levels.

What is 16S rRNA sequencing used for?

Bacterial metagenomics. Directly on the specimen or from a cultured sample. Either for the purpose of clinical decision support or microbiome studies.

What type of 16S rRNA analysis can 1928 Diagnostics provide?

1928 Diagnostics can analyze 16S amplicon data from the Illumina, IonTorrent and Nanopore sequencing platforms. Off-the-shelf analysis is available for the following targeted variable regions: V4, V1-V2 and V3-V4 regions (Illumina and IonTorrent) as well as the full gene V1-V9 (Nanopore).

The results are compared to the SILVA database and are visualized as relative abundances. Based on the results you can create abundance charts, data exports and reports.

How does 16S rRNA NGS sequencing compare to Sanger sequencing?

Sanger sequencing of 16S rRNA limits you to samples with few bacterial species. With more than three different bacterial species the noise interferes with the analysis and the results might be inconclusive. This has limited the specimen types suitable for the method. This limitation is not present with 16S NGS sequencing. The analysis clearly shows the presence of several bacteria, and the interpretation is performed by a clinical microbiologist.

How can I test your service?

Either you register for a 16-sample free trial on the registration page using the promo code 16Sample, or you sign up for a demo and more in-depth discussion on your needs.

16S rRNA white paper

A study from 2019 by Gupta, S et., namely Amplicon sequencing provided more accurate microbiome information in healthy children compared to culturing, indicates that approximately 75% of the bacterial species in a sample were detected with 16S rRNA sequencing compared to only 24% by culture.

Traditional culture methods create a bias to species that thrive in the laboratory environment. Whereas 16S rRNA and other DNA based methods directly from specimen are less sensitive to such bias.

Gupta, S., Mortensen, M.S., Schjørring, S. et al. Amplicon sequencing provides more accurate microbiome information in healthy children compared to culturing. Commun Biol 2, 291 (2019).

Read the Study