New advances in microbial community profiling: A future without bias
June 12, 2018
The foundation for the study of microbial communities are multiplex PCR and 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing analysis1. Using high throughput sequencing in the analysis of microbial communities has led to the new scientific field of metagenomics – the analysis of the combined genomes of organisms co-existing in a community2.
By their nature, complex microbiome samples pose challenges to researchers trying to achieve accurate, unbiased microbial community profiling3. According to Dr. Eric Lader, Senior Director, Product Development at QIAGEN. “Avoiding the various sources of bias is imperative for generating meaningful and representative microbiome profiles – Assay sensitivity limits, especially with low biomass samples, inhibitor co-purification during cell lysis and extraction and contaminant microbial DNA in PCR reagents are major sources of external profiling bias. Low sequence diversity and high GC content inherent to many microorganisms make primer design difficult and can lead to significant amplification bias.”
Imagine a future with no bias
The scientists at QIAGEN have developed the UCP Multiplex PCR kit to help you get meaningful, unbiased results from your complex microbiome samples. Designed for the challenge of microbial samples, the kit features inhibitor-resistant amplification – even with templates with up to 70% GC content. The Ultra-Clean Reagents in our UCP Multiplex PCR Kit, are nucleic acid depleted and tested for bacterial and fungal DNA contamination.
Our R&D data below, shows how the UCP Multiplex PCR Kit can give you the most accurate microbiome profiles.
Get superior sensitivity with no background signal
The UCP Multiplex PCR kit gives unsurpassed sensitivity and specificity, amplifying even very small input amounts with no background signal.
Amplify templates with up to 70% GC with no protocol or buffer optimization
The UCP Multiplex PCR Kit prevents amplification bias due to GC content, with no protocol optimization required.
Achieve ultra-sensitive detection with no background – in bacterial and fungal samples
Ideally suited to low biomass samples, the UCP Multiplex kit detects as little as 2 E.coli and 3 C.albicans genomes, with no background signal.
The UCP Multiplex PCR Kit has the robustness and specificity required to give meaningful, unbiased microbial community profiles from even your most challenging samples. The UCP Multiplex PCR Kit is available as a stand-alone product and is also a component of the new QIAseq 16S/ITS Panels.