Further Information

Identification of Bacteria by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is commonly used for identification of bacteria as it is a highly conserved component of the translational machinery of all bacteria and is highly suited as a target gene for universal identification. The sequence obtained from the isolate is compared to a comprehensive public database to provide taxonomic placement.

MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST)

MLST is a procedure for unambiguous sub-species discrimination of bacterial isolates of a variety of common species using the sequences of internal fragments of several house-keeping genes.  MLST data can also be used to determine mutation and recombination rates in the bacterial population and may be useful for epidemiological tracing and source attribution.

Whole Genome Sequencing

Whole genome sequencing provides the ultimate characterisation of any organism. We can generate a draft de novo assembly of the genome or raw data mapped to any reference bacterial genome provided by the customer. Additional information such as MLST, antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence genes can also be extracted from the raw data.

Microbial Community Profiling

This service provides data to determine the relative abundance of all bacterial taxa found in complex samples including faeces, soil or clinical specimens. Next generation platforms are used to generate thousands of potentially different 16S rRNA gene sequences from each sample.

Latest News

Keep up to date with the latest news and information from APHA Scientific

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Welcome to Our New APHA Scientific Website

We’re excited to share our new and improved APHA Scientific website. This project reflects our commitment to providing a more modern, accessible, and user-friendly platform to our global commercial customer base.

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APHA Scientific at WAVLD 2025: Advancing Veterinary Diagnostics Together

We were pleased to attend the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (WAVLD) 2025 conference in Calgary, Canada, as a Silver Sponsor.

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APHA Scientific – Launch of PT-LIMS: Our New Laboratory Information Management System

We’re excited to announce the launch of PT-LIMS, our improved Proficiency Testing Laboratory Information Management System, now live for all registered customers.

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New price Lists Available for 2025–2026 Proficiency Testing Schemes & Biological Reagents

We’re pleased to announce the release of our updated price lists for the 2025–2026 contract year.

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VETQAS Terms and Conditions (T&Cs)

We want to let you know that our VETQAS T&Cs have recently been updated to reflect changes in business practices and legal requirements.

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APHA Scientific – Successful Accreditation Visit and Transition to New ISO Standard

In February, VETQAS welcomed assessors for our annual UKAS accreditation visit, a vital part of maintaining our high standards and commitment to quality.

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VETQAS Proficiency Testing – Help Us Improve with Our Customer Survey

VETQAS Proficiency Testing are always looking for ways to improve our services, and your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal.

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APHA Scientific attending AAVLD 2024

APHA Scientific business development team is exhibiting at the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians annual meeting which takes place on October 12 – 13, 2024 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, USA.

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