Skip to content
For research teams

Microbiome research partnerships with structure and restraint.

VAMS BIOME supports microbiome research from study-design scoping and sequencing coordination through bioinformatics and structured, method-bounded reporting — for academic, clinical-research and biotech teams.

Discuss a Collaboration Scope a Project
Study design scopingSample & metadata planningSequencing method selectionBioinformatics outputsCohort-level reportingResearch-use interpretation

Who this is for

Research teams we work with

Academic investigators
PhD / postdoctoral research groups
University core facilities
Clinical research teams
Biotech R&D groups
Longitudinal cohort teams
Women’s health research groups
Gut / oral / skin / vaginal microbiome projects

Collaboration models

Ways we support a study

Fee-for-service bioinformatics support
Sequencing workflow coordination
Pilot microbiome study support
Longitudinal cohort analysis
ATLAS™ report framework co-development
Validation-oriented collaboration
Multi-site microbiome study support
Manuscript / grant methods support — requires scoping

How a collaboration runs

From enquiry to deliverables

  1. 1

    Enquiry

    Submit a research enquiry.

  2. 2

    Study context

    Share study question & sample context.

  3. 3

    Method scoping

    Scope method & metadata requirements.

  4. 4

    Pathway

    Confirm sample / extraction / sequencing pathway.

  5. 5

    Outputs

    Define bioinformatics and report / data deliverables.

  6. 6

    Analysis

    Run analysis or coordinated workflow.

  7. 7

    Delivery

    Deliver QC, tables, figures, reports & methods notes.

  8. 8

    Review

    Review findings & next-step options.

Deliverables

What research teams can receive

Scoping memo
Sample & metadata checklist
Sequencing method recommendation
QC summary
Feature / taxonomy tables
Alpha / beta diversity summaries
Differential-abundance outputs where appropriate
Functional-potential summaries where method supports it
Metatranscriptomic expression-context outputs where method supports it
Figures for research review
Methods text
ATLAS™-style structured report layer
Research-use interpretation summary
Data dictionary
Reproducibility notes

Governance

How collaborations stay responsible

Research-use boundaries Opt-in consent language Data access & de-identification require project review Ethics / IRB / HREC approval remains with the research team where applicable Clinical interpretation remains outside automated VAMS outputs Data-use terms confirmed before project start

FAQ

Research questions

Can VAMS analyse existing FASTQ files?

Yes — projects can start from externally-generated FASTQ; input compatibility is confirmed during scoping.

Can VAMS help design a microbiome study?

Study-design scoping (sample type, method fit, metadata, cohort design) is a core part of collaboration.

Can VAMS coordinate sequencing?

Sequencing workflow coordination is supported, with method limitations shown; specifics confirmed during scoping.

Can VAMS support DNA/RNA extraction workflows?

Extraction workflows are supported or coordinated with partner-lab routing where applicable.

Which sample types are supported?

Gut, vaginal, oral, and skin microbiome sample types; custom types require review.

Can VAMS support longitudinal cohorts?

Yes — longitudinal and multi-site cohort designs are supported under scoped arrangements.

Can VAMS provide publication-ready figures?

Figures for research review are a possible deliverable, depending on scope.

Can VAMS provide methods text?

Methods text and reproducibility notes can be provided as deliverables.

Are outputs diagnostic?

No. Outputs are research-use and method-bounded unless a separately approved clinical/regulated pathway exists.

How is consent handled?

Projects are consent-aware; data access, de-identification, and governance are confirmed before project start.

What files should we prepare before scoping?

Study question, sample type, cohort design, existing data (raw/extracted/FASTQ/tables), and preferred outputs.

Can VAMS collaborate on grants or manuscripts?

Grant / manuscript methods support requires scoping and founder approval.

Explore

Related pathways

Research collaboration (LABS) → Sequencing services → Reference methods → Lab partnerships → Partner with us →

Scope a microbiome research collaboration

Share your study question, sample type and cohort design. We’ll confirm method fit, deliverables and governance before any project begins.

Discuss a Collaboration Scope a Project