Genomics workflow tools for microbiome research

Microbiome research is a rapidly expanding field. It is currently dominated by gut microbiome and its application to health and disease states, while other niches in human body and plants are also attracting a lot of attention. Progression in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology now allows identification and sequencing of microbes in relatively low quantities and in complex samples. Therefore, NGS is the method of choice for population identification in microbiome samples, as most of them include large variety of microbes and in some cases also host cells. Still, biases and errors are common in this workflow and can be introduced in different steps along this process. To avoid bias in microbiome analysis, standardization must take center stage. It is an important part of the future of microbiome and metagenomic research to generate accurate and valid data. In addition, reagents used along this process must be free of any microbial contaminant to avoid introduction of exogenous error to the samples especially these with relatively low microbial counts. We here present standardization tools such as microbial DNA and inactivated bacteria microbiome standards that are suitable for PCR, sequencing and NGS as well as various lytic enzymes which are microbial DNA free. Usage of microbial DNA free lytic enzymes, which are necessary for sample processing, with individual microbial standards provide not only a solution to minimize contamination in sample processing but also specific customized control which can provide reproducibility and allowing reliable comparison of results lab to lab.