Extraction to analysis
Metagenomics workflows: 16S sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics
Sample homogenization
Omni homogenizers
Consistent sample disruption helps improve nucleic acid recovery from complex matrices such as stool, soil, tissue, cultures, swabs, and environmental samples. Omni homogenizers support reproducible sample preparation before extraction.
Nucleic acid isolation
chemagen™ technology
High-quality DNA or RNA extraction helps reduce variability before library preparation. chemagic nucleic acid isolation solutions support automated extraction from challenging sample types used in microbial community research.
Nucleic acid quantitation
Plate reader
Accurate quantitation helps confirm DNA, RNA, or library input before downstream steps. Plate reader-based quantitation can support higher-throughput measurement across metagenomics workflows.
Nucleic acid QC and sizing
Microfluidic devices
QC and sizing help confirm nucleic acid quality, library yield, and fragment distribution before and after sequencing. LabChip microfluidic capillary electrophoresis (micro-CE) analysis solutions provide electropherogram, virtual gel, and tabular outputs.
Automated library prep
Automated liquid handling
Automation can help increase throughput, reduce hands-on time, and improve consistency across 16S and shotgun metagenomic workflows. Revvity liquid handling workstations support more than 120 vendor-qualified automated NGS sample preparation protocols.
Reagents
Library prep kits
Choose library prep based on your study question: 16S amplicon sequencing for bacterial and archaeal community profiling, shotgun metagenomics for broader DNA-based taxonomic and functional analysis, or metatranscriptomics for RNA-based gene expression analysis.
Cosmos-Hub Microbiome
Online microbiome software
Select NEXTFLEX kit configurations include access to Cosmos-Hub for microbiome data analysis. Version-controlled pipelines support 16S and shotgun metagenomic sequencing data, including taxonomic profiling, functional analysis, comparative analysis, and visualization.
Explore our solutions
Featured resources
FAQs
-
How do I choose between 16S and shotgun metagenomic sequencing?
16S amplicon sequencing is often used for cost-effective bacterial and archaeal community profiling, especially when studying large sample sets or comparing to existing 16S datasets. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing provides a broader DNA-based view of microbial communities and can support taxonomic profiling, functional pathway analysis, AMR gene detection, virulence factor analysis, and detection of non-bacterial organisms depending on sample type, sequencing depth, and analysis method.
-
When should I consider metatranscriptomics instead of DNA-based metagenomics?
Metatranscriptomics is useful when the goal is to study microbial gene expression rather than only which organisms or genes are present. Because it analyzes RNA, metatranscriptomics can help researchers understand which genes are being expressed across a microbial community under specific biological or environmental conditions.
-
Why is sample preparation important for metagenomics workflows?
Metagenomics samples can contain diverse organisms, inhibitors, host material, and variable microbial biomass. Consistent sample homogenization, nucleic acid extraction, quantitation, and QC can help reduce workflow variability and improve the quality of downstream library preparation, sequencing, and analysis.
-
Can metagenomics workflows be automated?
Yes. Automation can support higher-throughput metagenomics workflows by reducing hands-on time, limiting manual touchpoints, and improving consistency across sample preparation and library preparation steps. Revvity automation solutions support multiple NGS workflow steps, including extraction, library preparation, and QC integration.
-
Do I need bioinformatics experience to analyze metagenomics data?
Metagenomics analysis can be complex, especially for shotgun sequencing and large studies. Select NEXTFLEX kit configurations include access to Cosmos-Hub, which provides version-controlled pipelines and visualization tools for 16S and shotgun metagenomic sequencing data.
