Biomarker Technologies Releases Guide to Selecting 16S rRNA Sequencing Services

Biomarker Technologies, also known as BMKGene, has released a comprehensive guide offering researchers seven practical tips for choosing 16S rRNA sequencing services. The publication aims to help laboratories secure high-quality data and improve the interpretability of research findings in complex microbiome studies.

The guide emphasizes that selecting a service provider should not solely depend on price, but rather on biological resolution, data quality, and analytical capabilities. Biomarker Technologies notes that the market for next-generation sequencing (NGS) services is experiencing steady growth, with microbiome research being a significant driver. When choosing a provider, it is crucial to scrutinize technical details such as primers, target regions, sequencing platforms, read lengths, and quality thresholds.

The guide presents several key considerations. These include comparing sequencing quality against the Illumina Q30 benchmark, setting targets for read depth, and comparing amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with traditional 97% OTU classifications. It also recommends the use of negative controls and mock communities to detect contamination and ensure reproducibility.

Biomarker Technologies stresses the importance of transparency and clarity in provider information. Ambiguous technical documentation may signal potential issues. The company also advises reviewing the quality and reproducibility of bioinformatics reporting. While ISO 17025 accreditation can add confidence, it does not single-handedly validate every microbiome workflow. Asking careful questions helps mitigate bias and select a service that aligns with specific study designs, budgets, and scientific risks.