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VAMS LABS™ · platforms

The platforms behind the sequencing layer.

We describe platform categories publicly, not specific instruments. The right category depends on your question and sample; specifics, including instrumentation, are confirmed during scoping.

Discuss Platform Fit See Sequencing Services
Short-read ampliconShotgun metagenomicsRNA / metatranscriptomicLong-read (scoped)Partner-coordinated instrumentationResearch-use framing

Platform categories

What each platform resolves — and its limits

What each platform resolves — and its limits
Platform category What it resolves Key limit Status
Short-read amplicon sequencing Genus-level taxonomy, diversity, community structure at scale. Limited species/strain resolution; no functional activity. Availability confirmed per implementation
Short-read shotgun metagenomics Species-level structure and genomic functional potential. Depth-dependent; potential is capability, not activity. Availability confirmed per implementation
RNA / metatranscriptomic workflows Expression-context signals under supported conditions. Highly RNA-quality dependent; not guaranteed. Requires scoping
Long-read workflows Discussed during scoping; not asserted as available here. Availability not publicly claimed until verified. Not publicly claimed
Partner platforms & instrumentation Confirmed during scoping by region, assay and project. No specific instrument is named on public pages. Partner-coordinated / requires scoping

Why platform choice matters

What actually changes the result

Read length & depth — Determine how finely taxonomy resolves and how much functional signal is captured.
Taxonomic resolution — Amplicon vs shotgun changes whether you reach genus, species or strain-level context.
Functional-potential context — Shotgun adds genomic capability; it is not proof of activity.
Expression-context limits — Only RNA workflows approach activity, and only where quality supports it.
Batch & QC importance — Batch design and QC materially affect comparability and interpretation.

FAQ

Platform questions

Which platform do you use?

We describe platform categories publicly, not specific instruments. The right category depends on your question and sample; specifics, including instrumentation, are confirmed during scoping.

Do you offer long-read sequencing?

Long-read workflows are not publicly claimed here; they can be discussed during scoping and confirmed only where verified.

Does a “better” platform always mean a better result?

No. The best platform is the one matched to your question, sample type and design — greater depth is not automatically more useful.

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Methods and services

Sequencing services → Reference methods → Quality & validation → Sample workflow → Research collaboration →

Find the right platform for your question

Tell us your research question and sample type. We’ll recommend a platform category and confirm any partner-lab instrumentation during scoping.

Discuss Platform Fit See Sequencing Services

Platform layer

Platforms shape resolution; the pipeline keeps it honest.

Whatever instruments generate the data, it enters one governed path: accepted input, QC and method-fit checks, versioned analysis, structured output.

  1. Accepted input Raw reads or already-processed tables, with the method and run details that produced them. FASTQ readsProcessed tables
  2. QC and method fit Read quality, depth, completeness and metadata are checked, and the data is tested against what the method can support. Does not pass: held and returned with the QC reasons, rather than analysed with a caveat.
  3. Analysis Taxonomic or functional assignment, run on a recorded pipeline version.
  4. Structured output Tables and figures returned with the method, pipeline version and the limits that apply to them.
Illustrative overview of the analysis path for externally generated sequencing data. Accepted formats and checks depend on the method and the study design agreed in advance.