Vaginal Samples — Microbiome Insights

The vaginal microbiome has been correlated with health issues such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The patient giving the sample may have sensitivities in the vagina and surrounding area so sample collection must be done by a professional in a clinic, or at home using a validated self-collection kit (see information below). Our team can advise on a workflow that meets your needs.

Our expertise includes:

Advanced extraction methods for consideration of particularly robust microbes in the system
Total bacterial quantification via qPCR to initially assess the amplification of bacteria in each sample
rRNA gene sequencing to determine, at a high level, the role of various microbes
Shotgun metagenome sequencing for a higher resolution of both taxonomic and functional outputs
Bioinformatic reporting with a firm understanding of advanced analysis

Services We Offer

rRNA Gene Sequencing of 16S and ITS2
qPCR (quantitative PCR) for total bacterial content
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing

DRY SWABS: For dry swabs we recommend using the Becton-Dickinson, BBL CultureSwab EZ II which includes a double-swab encased in a rigid non-breathable transport tube. For all other dry swabs make sure to keep the wrapper for transport to our lab. It is recommended to use two swabs (or one BD DBL CultureSwab II) to maximize your DNA content per sampling session. Samples should be stored in the -80 (preferably not the -20) and shipped to our lab on dry ice; overnight or two day shipping.

DEVICES WITH BUFFER: Both Norgen Biotek and DNA Genotek Inc. are manufacturers of biological specimen collection devices that incorporate a lytic stabilization buffer for storage at ambient temperature. See the Resources section below for a quick link to the recommended kits. Please refer to each manufacturer for more details on shelf life and stability. Samples collected in these devices can be stored at room temperature and need not be shipped on dry ice.

Basic Instructions

Dry swab method:

Step 1
Peel open sterile pouch at “peel here” and open the sterile vessel without contacting the sterile swab on any surface.
Step 2
Insert the swab 3-5 cm into the vagina and rotate in large circles to collect from the walls of the vagina. Continue doing so for 20 seconds.
Step 3
Carefully return the swab to the tube, ensuring that the swab, swab stick, and vessel do not touch any surface.
Step 4
Place the tube into biospecimen bag and freeze at -80 until ready to ship.

Liquid buffer method:

Step 1
Open wrapper or clamshell and follow manufacturer collection instructions.
Step 2
Store at ambient temperature until ready to ship.

Samples that are collected using a stabilization buffer for storage at ambient temperature need not be kept in the freezer unless you will be storing your samples longer than the kit’s stability timeframe as outlined by the collection kit manufacturer. Likewise, these samples can be transported to our facility without dry ice UNLESS you are removing them from the freezer to ship. In this case, samples must be shipped on dry ice with enough dry ice to last for the duration of transport. Please see complete shipping instructions here.

Protocol

Vaginal samples are extracted using the MoBio Powersoil Extraction kit, optimized for extraction using the ThermoFisher KingFisher automated robot. A bead beating step is included in the protocol for increased lysis.

We optimize the amount of starting material used, to improve sequencing yields in low biomass samples, while ensuring sample integrity and minimizing cross-contamination by processing these sample types under laminar flow.

For more information on a particular service please refer to the services section above for quick links.

Resources

"Despite our technically challenging samples, the capabilities offered by Microbiome Insights exceeded my expectations. Their team was very responsive, handling my questions thoroughly and quickly. Their data analysis was rigorous, in-depth, well-explained and annotated, and altogether tremendously helpful."

Aaron Ogden

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Microbiome Insights

5

2021-03-31T15:26:13-07:00

Aaron Ogden

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

"Despite our technically challenging samples, the capabilities offered by Microbiome Insights exceeded my expectations. Their team was very responsive, handling my questions thoroughly and quickly. Their data analysis was rigorous, in-depth, well-explained and annotated, and altogether tremendously helpful."

https://microbiomeinsights.com/testimonials/4398/

We use Microbiome Insights because they offer unbiased, expedited, professional services at a reasonable cost and this has streamlined our research. Their expertise in the microbiome gives us confidence in our results and their bioinformatic and statistical support provides us with a comprehensive understanding of the results.

Katherine Cook

Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University

Microbiome Insights

5

2018-10-25T12:28:50-07:00

Katherine Cook

Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University

We use Microbiome Insights because they offer unbiased, expedited, professional services at a reasonable cost and this has streamlined our research. Their expertise in the microbiome gives us confidence in our results and their bioinformatic and statistical support provides us with a comprehensive understanding of the results.

https://microbiomeinsights.com/testimonials/2381/

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Microbiome Insights

Services We Offer

Basic Instructions

Dry swab method:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Liquid buffer method:

Step 1

Step 2

Protocol

Resources

Services

Support

Connect

Accreditation

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