Eukaryotic 18S rRNA Sequencing

The 18S rRNA gene is a conserved component of eukaryotic genomes. It contains both conserved and variable regions (V1 to V9 except V6, which does not exist due to relative conservation), which can reflect the differences among eukaryotic species such as fungi. 18S rRNA sequencing remains a gold standard for eukaryotic molecular phylogeny. Our integrated 18S rRNA sequencing platform analyzes 18S rRNA genes accurately using a combination of advanced sequencing technologies and quantitative PCR (q-PCR). This platform allows short-read 18S rRNA sequencing by NGS (Illumina PE250/300) or full-length 18S rRNA sequencing by PacBio SMRT sequencing or Nanopore sequencing. Long-read sequencing technologies break the limitation of read length and provide more accurate species-level identification. Quantitative PCR can be used to quantify microbial species and validate sequencing data. Additionally, we also provide fungal ITS sequencing for fungal diversity analysis.

18S rRNA gene sequencing is commonly used to identify, classify, and quantify microbes within complex biological mixtures such as samples collected from the environment and gut. A phylogenetic tree can be constructed using various eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene sequences for the analysis of eukaryotes genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships. As eukaryotic microbes play important roles in scavengers, predators, producers, and parasites in most ecological settings, 18S rRNA sequencing is a robust tool to better understand the ecosystems through analysis of eukaryotic taxonomy, evolution, ecology, and diversity. 18S rRNA sequencing can also be used to identify eukaryotes associated with human/animal disease.