FAQs

Different library prep kits and sequencer systems have varied minimum requirements. Please contact us, info@seqpal.com, to discuss the minimum amount of material needed for your specific kit or system.

Certainly! We offer DNA and RNA extraction services. Reach out to us to discuss your sample type and requirements.

DNA can be shipped in ambient conditions, while RNA requires shipment in dry ice for optimal quality. Please adhere to these guidelines for sample transportation

We primarily use Illumina’s kits for DNA-seq and mRNA-seq. However, we can accommodate other vendors’ kits upon request. Feel free to contact us for more information on library preparation.

We use primers for the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA. If you have specific primer or region requirements, contact us to discuss custom protocols.

The number of reads required varies based on your sample type and research goals. Here are general guidelines:

• Whole Genome Sequencing: Aim for 30X coverage.
• RNA-seq:
  • Small Genomes: 5-10 million reads per sample.
  • Human or Mouse: Target 20-30 million reads per sample.
  • De novo transcriptome assembly projects may require 100 million reads per sample.
• Whole Exome Sequencing: Optimal coverage is in the range of 100X-200X.
• Bisulfite Sequencing: Aim for 30X coverage.

These guidelines serve as a starting point, and we recommend reaching out to us for a more personalized assessment based on your specific sample characteristics and research objectives.

Coverage is calculated using the below formula:
  Coverage = (read length) x (total number of reads) / (genome size)
For example, 30x coverage of the human genome requires 600 million reads of 150 bp.

If your sequencing requirements do not utilize the full capacity of a lane or flow cell, we offer the option to pool your libraries or samples with compatible ones. Please get in touch with us to discuss and arrange the appropriate pooling strategy that suits your needs.

We advise utilizing secondary containers to safeguard the primary containers.

• Primary Container Guidelines:
  • Multiwell Plates
    1. Seal plates securely with strip caps.
    2. Place the sealed plates inside a pipet tip box or a similarly robust container. Alternatively, pack plates in a small box and then place this box inside a larger, second box.
  • Microtubes
    1. Place microtubes, containing samples or custom primers, inside a 50 mL polypropylene tube or another protective container.
    2. Secure microtubes with appropriate packing materials.

• Secondary Container Guidelines:
  1. Use a leak-proof container or a zip-lock type bag
  2. Surround each primary container with sufficient absorbent packing material in case of breakage during transit.

• Include a submission form:
  List the sample labels and specify the amount in μL for liquids in each well/tube.

• Outer Container (Shipping Box) Guidelines:
  1. Utilize an outer container (shipping box) with sufficient strength to protect the samples.
  2. Ensure the shipping box appears clean
     • Use a new box.
     • When reusing a box, remove any pre-existing labels to prevent conflicting signage that could cause delays.
  3. Ensure the packing slip includes an accurate address label with complete information (name, address, and phone number) for both the shipper and the recipient.