Service

Bacterial Species Identification by Whole Genome Sequencing

Accurate taxonomic placement from genomic signatures.

Whole genome data identify a bacterial strain far more reliably than 16S rRNA sequencing, which often can't separate closely related species. We compare your genome against reference genomes and confirm the result with average nucleotide identity (ANI).

This matters most when names have changed, as with the 2020 reclassification of Lactobacillus, or when a strain will be used in a product, a publication or a culture collection.

What you receive

  • Species name with the current, valid nomenclature
  • ANI values against the closest type strains
  • Notes on recent taxonomic changes that affect your strain
  • A clear statement if the strain may belong to a new or undescribed species

How we do it

  1. 1

    Candidate search

    Your genome is compared with reference genomes to find its nearest relatives.

  2. 2

    ANI calculation

    FastANI calculates identity against type strains of the candidate species.

  3. 3

    Interpretation

    We apply the accepted species threshold of about 95–96% ANI and check the current nomenclature.

When you need it

  • Confirming a probiotic or starter culture identity before a product claim
  • Resolving a species that 16S sequencing couldn't separate
  • Checking whether an isolate could be a novel species

Questions

Is this better than 16S rRNA sequencing?

Yes. 16S compares one gene, while whole genome comparison uses the whole sequence, so it can separate species that share almost identical 16S genes.

What if my strain doesn't match any known species?

If ANI to every type strain is below the species threshold, the report says so and explains what further work would be needed to describe a new species.

Further reading

Comparative GenomicsUnderstanding ANI: How Average Nucleotide Identity Defines SpeciesTaxonomyLactobacillus Was Split into 25 Genera: What the 2020 Reclassification Means for Your Strain

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For Research Use Only. BacSeq Analytics provides bioinformatics analysis and interpretation services for microbial genomic research. The reports are intended for research and investigational purposes only and are not intended for clinical diagnosis.

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