FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
- How much DNA should I send for amplicon sequencing?
20 μl in volume and 1-10 ng/μl in concentration (quantified by fluorometric method such as Qubit assay) - How should I quantify my DNA?
If possible, quantify DNA using a Qubit fluorometer or by gel electrophoresis. DNA concentrations are always overestimated by Nanodrop spectrophotometer. - Can I send you liquid samples?
We recommend not sending liquid samples. If possible, filtering liquids through a membrane to collect biomass would be preferable to sending liquids. We offer a Water Filtration Kit that can be used to collect the biomass of various environmental samples used for downstream DNA extraction and sequencing. - Can you extract DNA if I send you raw samples?
We can extract DNA from environmental samples, essentially those that are not of human-origin. - How do you prefer DNA to be sent?
E.g. in microfuge tubes, PCR tube strips, or 96 well plates (the latter if for over a certain number of samples?) When submitting less than 24 samples, we would prefer samples to be sent in DNase-free tubes. If there are more than 24 samples, they should be sent in 8-strp PCR tubes or in a 96-well PCR plate. - How should I label my samples?
Each sample name must be unique and the name written on the Sample Submission form that we provide to you must match the name written on the sample tube or other container. Sample names should not contain the following characters: ? ( ) [ ] / \ = + < > : ; ” ‘ , * ^ | & - How much does amplicon sequencing cost?
Please get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com to get a quote and discuss your sequencing needs
- What do I need to include with my samples?
Include a filled and signed copy of the Sample Submission Form. Get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com to get a copy of the form. - How should I package my samples? Samples should be shipped over dry ice if possible or with multiple ice packs in a well-sealed styrofoam container.
- Where should I send my samples?
Please email us to let us know before sending the samples. 550 Parkside Dr Unit A9, Waterloo, ON N2L 5V4, Canada - When should I send my samples?
Send samples Monday-Wednesday by courier and avoid sending them on Friday or over the weekend. Drop-offs are available upon request at our Waterloo office. Please let us know if you are sending samples ahead of time.
- Can you extract DNA from my sample?
Yes, please provide detailed information on the nature of the sample so the most appropriate DNA extraction method can be used. - How do you extract DNA?
We use our Sox DNA Soil Extraction Kit and other methods to extract DNA depending on sample properties - How do you extract DNA from plant samples?
We extract plant DNA using our proprietary method without use of any organic chemicals. - Do you keep remaining unprocessed DNA?
We keep unused samples/DNA for three months after sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
- Do you do custom amplicon sequencing?
Yes, please get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com for more information - Can you sequence samples if I send my own primers?
Not directly as sequencing adapter and bar code sequences have to be added before sequencing. Please get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com for more information. - Which sequencing platform do you use?
We use the Illumina MiSeq. - What is the depth of sequencing?
We generate up to 15,000 pair-ended reads per sample for most samples but we may be able to accommodate the client’s request. - Do you do shotgun metagenomic sequencing?
Currently, we do not do shotgun metagenomic sequencing in-house.
- Can you analyze my amplicon sequences?
We have different levels of bioinformatic analysis. See our What We Offer page for more information about general analysis available or contact us at info@metagenom.com to discuss your specific research goals. - Can you assemble my contigs and metagenomes?
Yes, please get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com so we can better understand your research goals. - Can you analyze my metagenomes?
Yes, please get in touch with us at info@metagenom.com so we can better understand your research goals.