Contract research services - DNA Barcoding ServicesDNA Barcoding Services for Precise Species & Microbial Identification

DNA barcoding is a molecular technique that identifies species by analyzing a short, standardized segment of their DNA. Unlike traditional methods that rely on physical characteristics, DNA barcoding works even on processed, degraded, or incomplete samples. It is widely used for biodiversity monitoring, food safety, herbal authentication, and wildlife forensics because it delivers fast, objective, and highly accurate results.

We use globally standardized barcode regions to ensure accurate identification across different taxonomic groups:

Animals & Insects: Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI), 16S rRNA, and Cytochrome b (CytB).

Plants: ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer), matK, and rbcL.

Fungi: ITS regions.

We also offer custom marker analysis for specialized research needs.

Sample collection methods vary by project and sample type. We recommend following established best practices from peer-reviewed literature or standard operating procedures in your field. General principles include using sterile tools and containers, avoiding cross-contamination, and preserving samples immediately after collection.

We provide project-specific guidance and can share recommended protocols or references upon request.

Proper storage and shipping are critical for DNA integrity. General guidelines include:

• Preservation: Use appropriate preservatives (e.g., ethanol, silica gel) or freeze samples immediately.
• Temperature Control: Maintain cold chain (on ice or frozen) during short-term storage and shipping when required.
• Packaging: Use leak-proof, triple-packaged containers to prevent damage and contamination.

We provide detailed shipping instructions and sample submission forms with every project to ensure safe transit.

DNA barcoding is highly accurate for detecting food adulteration, verifying seafood species, and authenticating herbal ingredients, even in processed products where physical features are lost. It can identify substitutions, contaminants, and mislabeled ingredients that chemical tests might miss. Our ISO 17025 & NABL accredited workflows ensure that the sequence data is reliable and defensible for regulatory compliance and quality control.

Turnaround time depends on the sample type, number of loci, and the level of bioinformatics analysis required. Typically, our streamlined workflow,  from DNA extraction and PCR amplification to Sanger sequencing and data analysis, allows us to deliver results within 2–4 weeks for standard projects. We recommend consulting with our molecular biologists early in the process to optimize sample collection and preservation, which helps avoid delays.

Yes, as part of our end-to-end service, we facilitate the submission of high-quality sequences to global repositories such as the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) and NCBI GenBank. This ensures your data is publicly accessible, citable, and contributes to the global reference library, maximizing the impact of your research or conservation efforts. Our bioinformatics team handles sequence alignment, quality checks, and metadata formatting to meet database submission standards.

 We accept a wide range of sample types, including fresh tissue, dried specimens, feathers, processed food products, and environmental samples (eDNA). Proper sample preservation is critical for DNA quality; our team provides detailed sample collection guidance to ensure optimal results. Whether you are a university researcher, a food industry quality manager, or an environmental agency, our contract research services are tailored to meet your specific sample handling and data reporting needs