Microbial & bacterial genomics

Microbial Genomics Bioinformatics Services: Assembly, Annotation and Comparative Analysis

We analyze existing Illumina, Oxford Nanopore and PacBio data, from raw FASTQ files to assembled genomes, to deliver publication-ready bacterial genome assemblies, annotations and comparative-genomics results.

For bacterial and archaeal genomes, with methods adapted to your organism, sequencing platform and research question. Analysis of existing data; sequencing is arranged separately.

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Services · Workflow · Deliverables · Questions

Analysis capabilities

Our Microbial Bioinformatics Services

Start from raw reads or existing assemblies. The analyses are agreed around your project; not every project needs every step.

Quality assessment & preprocessing

Evaluate raw sequencing data, inspect read quality and assess potential contamination. Depending on the platform, preprocessing may use FastQC, fastp or Trimmomatic. Quality limitations are reported rather than hidden by filtering.

Bacterial genome assembly: short, long & hybrid reads

Assemble reads using approaches such as SPAdes, Flye or Unicycler. Polishing with Racon, Medaka or Pilon is selected when suitable for the data. Complete or circularized genomes depend on read quality, coverage and genome structure.

Genome annotation & functional profiling

Identify coding sequences and RNAs using annotation tools such as Prokka, PGAP or RAST. Functional annotation can incorporate KEGG, COG, Pfam and resistance-gene screening, according to the agreed scope.

Taxonomic assignment & phylogenomics

Assess genomic relatedness using ANI and dDDH where appropriate, and infer phylogenetic relationships using suitable marker or genome-based methods. Approaches may include TYGS, OrthoANI and 16S rRNA analysis. ANI measures similarity; it is not itself a phylogenetic tree.

Comparative genomics & pan-genome analysis

Compare core and accessory genes, gene presence/absence, genome organization and strain-specific features across related genomes. Approaches can include Roary or Anvi’o, selected to fit the dataset and comparison.

Project-adapted workflows & consulting

Combine established methods, adjust tools and parameters, and define suitable comparisons for your research question. We can discuss unusual organisms, existing assemblies, non-standard inputs and optional multi-omics integration before agreeing the work.

Research outcomes

What can you achieve with our microbial genomics services?

Identify and compare strains

Assess species placement and relationships among isolates, and investigate shared or distinctive genomic features.

Explore metabolic potential

Investigate biosynthetic and catabolic pathways, functional domains and candidate genes relevant to ecological roles or biotechnology.

Interpret resistance and virulence features

Screen for known antibiotic resistance genes and virulence-associated features where included. Genomic predictions need to be interpreted in their biological context.

Communicate the results

Receive interpretable genome statistics, annotation tables, comparative figures and reporting suited to your research question.

Analytical workflow

A typical microbial genomics analysis workflow

The path depends on your starting data and agreed scope. Existing assemblies can enter at quality assessment and annotation. Direct communication continues throughout the project.

01 · Quality control

Read quality, adapters and potential contaminants

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For bacterial isolate reads, inspect quality and sample consistency before choosing filtering or trimming steps.

02 · Genome assembly

Short-read, long-read or hybrid assembly

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Assemble each isolate and assess contiguity and quality. Select polishing where appropriate; report unresolved regions or limitations.

03 · Genome annotation

Genes, RNAs and functional potential

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Annotate assemblies consistently so gene-content comparisons are meaningful; add functional or resistance screening when included.

04 · Comparative genomics

Relatedness, pan-genome and phylogeny

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Use appropriate reference genomes and methods to compare ANI, core/accessory genes and phylogenomic relationships.

05 · Reporting & visualization

Files, figures, tables and interpretation

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Summarize the agreed analyses, document methods and limitations, and discuss the biological findings.

What you receive

Deliverables — files you can use

The quotation specifies your deliverables. The list below describes available outputs, rather than a promise that every project includes every analysis.

Genome assemblies

FASTA assemblies, assembly statistics and quality assessments. Polished or circularized versions are supplied where supported by the data and included in scope.

Annotated genomes

GFF, GBK and tabular annotation files, including coding sequences, tRNAs, rRNAs and functional assignments as applicable.

Functional and resistance tables

Agreed functional annotations using resources such as KEGG, COG, Pfam or eggNOG; CARD or VFDB screening where relevant to project goals.

Taxonomy and phylogenomic outputs

Newick-format trees and figures, similarity tables and relevant FastANI/GTDB outputs where those analyses are included.

Comparative-genomics outputs

Core/pan-genome matrices, shared and unique gene tables, and suitable heatmaps, Venn diagrams or synteny plots where included.

Summary report and optional processed reads

A PDF report describing methods, summary statistics, key findings and interpretation. Quality-filtered FASTQ files and return copies of the supplied raw reads can be agreed when needed.

Scientific experience

Why choose Tailoredomics?

Analysis grounded in the organism and experiment

Experience with pathogens, symbionts, extremophiles and environmental isolates informs the choice of methods and interpretation. Bacteria and archaea are the main focus; microbial eukaryote projects can be assessed according to the organism and required analysis.

We select established tools and appropriate versions for the project, document methods and limitations, and discuss the results directly. Optional transcriptomics, proteomics or metagenomics integration can be scoped where useful.

Published research · BMC Genomics

Comparative genomics of Fervidobacterium

Research combining genome assembly, annotation, ANI, pan-genome analysis and genome-based phylogeny demonstrates methods relevant to this service.

View the research publication →

Research evidence, rather than a claim that the study was a commercial client project.

Research contexts

Applications of microbial genomics

Environmental & agricultural microbiology

Investigate isolates from soil, water, plant-associated systems and extreme environments, including candidate functions relevant to nutrient cycling or biodegradation. For community-level questions, see our microbiome data analysis services.

Biotechnology & synthetic biology

Explore metabolic pathways and gene clusters to prioritize candidates for enzyme discovery, biosynthesis studies or microbial engineering.

Resistance research

Investigate resistance genes and mobile genetic elements across isolates to support antimicrobial resistance research and surveillance questions. Sequence findings alone do not establish susceptibility.

Evolution, taxonomy & novel species

Study gene gain/loss and genome organization, and use genome-based comparisons to support taxonomic placement and investigation of potential novel taxa.

Before you enquire

Frequently asked questions

What types of microorganisms can you analyze?

Our main focus is bacteria and archaea, including environmental isolates, pathogens, symbionts and industrial strains. Tell us about microbial eukaryotes so we can assess the appropriate methods and scope. Mixed-community sequencing may require a metagenomics or microbiome workflow.

What data formats do you accept?

We accept raw sequencing reads in FASTQ format from Illumina, Oxford Nanopore and PacBio, including hybrid datasets. Existing assemblies in FASTA format can be assessed for annotation and downstream analysis.

Can you work with assemblies I already have?

Yes. We can begin with assembly assessment, annotation, taxonomic assignment or comparative genomics, depending on the files available and your research question.

Can you guarantee a complete bacterial genome?

Genome closure depends on the sequencing data, coverage, repeat structure and sample quality. We assess the available data and report assembly quality and limitations; a complete or circularized genome is not guaranteed in advance.

How long will the analysis take, and how much will it cost?

Timing and cost depend on the number of samples, data volume, starting files and analyses requested. We agree the scope, deliverables, price and schedule before work begins.

How do I send my sequencing data?

Start with a description of your project; there is no need to upload raw data in the enquiry form. We then agree a transfer method, such as a sequencing-provider or institutional download link.

Can I request particular tools or additional analyses?

Tell us about required tools, reference datasets or existing workflows when discussing the project. We assess their suitability and agree any additional analyses and deliverables before including them.

Background reading

What is microbial & bacterial genomics?

Microbial genomics studies the genomes of microorganisms; bacterial genomics focuses on bacteria. Genome analysis can support taxonomic classification, functional prediction and comparative microbial genomics.

For the longer introduction, read What is Microbial Genomics?

Discuss your project

Ready to get started?

Tell us about your organism, sequencing data, number of samples and the questions you want to answer. We can then define the analysis and quotation.

Request a quoteEmail info@tailoredomics.com

No raw-data upload is needed at first contact.