Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform.
Loading of the Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform for sequencing.

Functional genomics via next-generation sequencing (NGS)

Sequencing technologies – the next generation

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) describes a novel technology in nucleic acid analysis. In contrast to conventional sequencing techniques, it enables the simultaneous sequencing of hundreds of millions of DNA fragments. These high-throughput or parallel sequencing technologies have opened up entirely new dimensions in nucleic acid analysis and revolutionized countless areas of life sciences research.

In our research group, we use NGS technologies for a wide range of challenges with a scientific as well as an application-oriented focus. Projects cover, for example, de novo sequencing of industrially or medically relevant bacterial and fungal strains, analyses of transcription profiles, identification of relevant genes, e. g. for an early diagnosis of tumor diseases, and screening for biomarkers for diagnosis.

We are especially proud of our group’s ability to offer the complete workflow from sample preparation to sequencing up to bioinformatics analyses.

Sequencer.
Sequencer.

Our offer: Complete sample analysis from wet lab to dry lab

At Fraunhofer IGB, we have established a three-step process that encompasses the various steps in sample preparation and sequencing in the laboratory as well as subsequent bioinformatics analysis.

Therefore, we can provide you with a one-stop shop, covering the complete workflow from sample preparation to sequencing and bioinformatics. We are happy to help you with a specific question in the short term or stand by your side as a reliable partner for a long-term project.

The combination of state-of-the-art equipment (Illumina NextSeq2000, Illumina MiniSeq, Oxford Nanopore MinION, QIAcube, Biomek FX etc.) with our long-standing expertise in the field of NGS gives you access to a large variety of protocols and analyses to meet your individual needs.

Sample preparation

Sample preparation.
Sample preparation.

To use the next-generation sequencing technology, the samples must be processed differently depending on the starting material and the scientific problem that is addressed in the experiment. For example, genomic DNA from unknown organisms is used for de-novo genome sequencing while a variety of RNA populations (mRNA, small RNA, ncRNA) can be examined in transcriptome analyses.

 

DNA/RNA extraction by cryo-grinding established for different materials

  • Fungi and bacteria
  • Human, animal and plant tissues (incl. FFPE)
  • Blood, stool and environmental samples

Comprehensive repertoire of application-specific protocols

  • DNA: whole genome shotgun (WGS), 16S amplicons, enrichments
  • RNA: polyA+, small RNA, ncRNA, strand specific sequencing, rRNA and/or globin depletion
  • Automation using the Biomek FX pipetting robot available for several protocols
  • Individual establishment of new protocols or fast and flexible adaption of established protocols

Sequencing

Depending on the scope of the application, the choice of NGS technology determines sequence depth and read length of each sequencing run.

Genome sequencing (DNA-seq)

  • de-novo
  • resequencing
  • metagenomes

Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq)

  • mRNA
  • small RNA
  • ncRNA
  • microbial RNA
  • metatranscriptomes

Amplicon sequencing (AMP-seq)

  • rDNA
  • exome
Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform.
Loading of the Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform for sequencing.

Bioinformatic analysis

Computing clusters.
Computing clusters.

By means of our high-performance IT infrastructure optimized for NGS, the sequenced raw data can then be bioinformatically evaluated for a variety of different applications like gene expression anaylsis, genome assemblies and annotations or metagenome analyses. Beyond that, we developed the GeneScapes genome browser for visualization of sequencing data.

  • De-novo genome assembly
  • Gene annotation based on in-silico predictions or on RNA-Seq data
  • Reference mapping and variance calling
  • RNA-seq including detection of differential gene expression
  • Metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses
  • Biomarker screening

Projects tailored to your individual needs

Apart from previously established standard protocols and analyses, we also pursue individual solutions to achieve the best results possible. If you want to use our sequencing capacities exclusively, you can also send us your ready-to-load DNA libraries. We sequence these with the desired coverage and immediately deliver the raw data. All sample preparation steps and sequencing runs are validated and will be carried out according to strict SOPs. Processing times vary between two and eight weeks, depending on the project content.

Please contact us for an individual offer

 

Please contact us for your personal offer  

sequencing [at] igb.fraunhofer.de

 

Flyer Next Generation Sequencing

From wet-lab to dry-lab.

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