Abstract
Amplicon-based marker gene surveys form the basis of most microbiome and other microbial community studies. Such PCR-based methods have multiple steps, each of which is susceptible to error and bias. Variance in results has also arisen through the use of multiple methods of next-generation sequencing (NGS) amplicon library preparation. Here we formally characterized errors and biases by comparing different methods of amplicon-based NGS library preparation. Using mock community standards, we analyzed the amplification process to reveal insights into sources of experimental error and bias in amplicon-based microbial community and microbiome experiments. We present a method that improves on the current best practices and enables the detection of taxonomic groups that often go undetected with existing methods.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 942-949 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Nature Biotechnology |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Bioengineering
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Molecular Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering