Applications Research areas
Microbiome sequencing & analysis
The study of microbiomes — the genetic material of all microorganisms in a given sample — is providing new insights into a diverse range of research areas, such as human health and disease, crop improvement, and species conservation. Microorganisms and their interactions have a profound effect on their environments, and it is only now, through the advent of modern sequencing technologies, that we are able to fully characterise microbiome samples — not only identifying each individual microbe but also generating complete, closed genome assemblies and elucidating gene expression within microbial communities.
The life and survival of ancient microbial communities
Watch the videoLong reads make it easier to extract original individual genomes from the metagenome Nicole Wagner, Georgetown University, US
Oxford Nanopore sequencing
Traditional short-read technologies
Unrestricted read length (up to 4.2 Mb achieved)
- Generate complete, high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) — resolving closely-related species and complex genomic regions
- Get enhanced taxonomic resolution using full-length reads of informative loci (e.g. entire 16S rRNA gene)
- Sequence and quantify full-length transcripts for unambiguous gene expression and metatranscriptomics studies
Read length typically 50–300 bp
Short sequencing reads may not span complex genomic regions (e.g. repeats, transposons) resulting in fragmented, partial genomes and ambiguous assembly of closely related species. Targeted 16S rRNA sequencing approaches using short reads have also been shown to provide lower taxonomic resolution when compared to long sequencing reads.
In the context of gene expression, the short reads provided by traditional sequencing technology require computational assembly, which has been shown to result in a high proportion of misassembled transcripts, making metatranscriptomics studies highly challenging.
Real-time data streaming
- Identify microorganisms within seconds of starting a sequencing run
- Stop sequencing when sufficient data obtained — wash and reuse flow cell
- Combine with intuitive, real-time EPI2ME data analysis workflows, including metagenomic- and 16S rRNA-based identification and quantification
Fixed run time with bulk data delivery
Increased time-to-result and inability to identify workflow errors until it’s too late, plus additional complexities of handling large volumes of bulk data.
Sequence anywhere
- Sequence in your lab or in the field with portable Flongle and MinION devices — from just $1,000, including sequencing reagents
- Characterise microbiomes at their source — minimise potential sample degradation caused by storage or shipping
- Analyse hundreds of samples with flexible, high-throughput, GridION and PromethION devices
Constrained to the lab
Traditional sequencing technologies are typically expensive, bulky, and require substantial site infrastructure — potentially restricting usage to well-resourced settings and delaying time to result.
Direct, amplification-free protocols
- Eliminate amplification- and GC-bias
- Access methylation data for free (e.g. 5mC, 6mA) — no additional sample prep or sequencing required
- Use methylation motifs to support genome binning and assembly from metagenome samples — maximising the utility of your data
Separate methylation assay required
Amplification can introduce bias — reducing uniformity of coverage with the potential for coverage gaps — and removes base modifications (e.g. DNA methylation) limiting data insights.
Streamlined workflows
- Sample prep in as little as 10 minutes, including multiplexing
- Whole genome, metagenomic, targeted (including 16S rRNA), direct RNA, and cDNA sequencing approaches
- Automate sample prep using the portable VolTRAX device
- Cost-effectively analyse up to 96 samples in a single run using barcoding kits
- Group plasmids with their associated genomes using MetaPore-C
Laborious workflows
Typically, lengthy sample preparation requirements and long sequencing run times, reducing workflow efficiency.
White paper
Addressing the challenges of metagenomics
Understanding the true diversity and interactions of microorganisms in any given environment has historically been restricted by many factors, including the inability to culture the vast majority of microbes on artificial media. Developments in traditional sequencing technologies removed the need for culture, providing more detailed insights into microbiomes; however, many challenges remained, including the assembly of complete genomes, distinguishing closely related species, time to result, and sequencing infrastructure. This White paper reviews how nanopore sequencing is being used by researchers worldwide to meet these challenges, shedding new light on the composition and function of microbiomes — from the human gut to the most remote environments on Earth and beyond.
Access a wealth of microbiome sequencing and analysis content, including videos, publications, small genome and metagenomic sequencing getting started guides, and more in our Resource centre.
Interested in portable sequencing?
Discover how researchers are using MinION for on-site microbial genomics in a wide range of environments, including entirely off-grid sequencing on Europe’s largest ice cap, the crop fields of Africa, and on board the International Space Station.
Find out more in our dedicated portable sequencing resource page.
Case study
High-quality, low-cost, nanopore-only bacterial genome sequences
Professor Albertson and colleagues, based at Aalborg University in Denmark, investigated whether nanopore sequencing data alone could be used to obtain reference-quality bacterial genome assemblies from activated sludge. Traditionally, researchers used either short-read or reference polishing of nanopore data, yet this is undesirable as it adds cost and complexity. The team introduced the term ‘near-finished’ genome to indicate the generation of a high-quality genome assembled with only long nanopore reads, for which the application of short-read polishing would not significantly improve the consensus sequence. They found that the latest nanopore sequencing chemistries enabled the generation of near-finished bacterial genomes from activated sludge samples, without polishing.
‘We show that Oxford Nanopore R10.4 can be used to generate near-finished microbial genomes from isolates or metagenomes without short-read or reference polishing’
Sereika et al. Nature Methods. 19 (2022)
Discover more about the benefits of long reads and real-time nanopore sequencing for whole genome assembly, species identification, and gene expression analysis in our applications pages.
Get started
Scalable sequencing for microbiome analysis
From portable yet powerful Flongle and MinION devices to the flexible, high-throughput benchtop GridION and PromethION platforms — scale your sequencing to match your specific microbiome analysis requirements.
Compare products
Recommended for microbiome sequencing
PromethION 2 & 2 Solo
Offering two independent PromethION Flow Cells for cost-efficient access to high-output sequencing ─ ideal for obtaining complete circular genomes from complex metagenomics samples.
Subscribe
Get in touch
Talk to us
If you have any questions about our products or services, chat directly with a member of our sales team.
Talk to usBook a sales call
To book a call with one of our sales team, please click below.
Book a call