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APHA Scientific > Services > Bacterial ID and Characterisation > Identification of Bacteria – Further Information

Identification of Bacteria – 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.

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Meet APHA Scientific at EAVLD 2026

APHA Scientific will be attending the EAVLD 2026 Congress in Athens, connecting with veterinary diagnosticians and laboratory professionals from across Europe. Visit our team to learn more about our proficiency testing schemes, diagnostic reagents and quality assurance solutions for veterinary laboratories.

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World Buiatrics Congress 2026

The World Buiatrics Congress 2026 provides a global platform for sharing knowledge on cattle health and production. APHA Scientific will be showcasing products and expertise that support the diagnosis and control of important bovine diseases.

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Supporting laboratory validation with pathology control blocks

FFPE control materials are now available to support training, quality assurance and specialised laboratory testing.

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APHA Science in Partnership Conference

APHA Scientific will be attending the APHA Science in Partnership Conference in York this November. The event brings together stakeholders from across science, policy and industry to explore collaboration, innovation and shared challenges.

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New Salmonella Serotyping Antisera

Our Salmonella serotyping antisera portfolio is now available, supporting confirmation, serogrouping and flagellar characterisation in veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

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APHA Scientific to contribute expertise at chemical and biological risk management event

APHA will join the Star Ecotronics training event APHA, including a roundtable session for direct engagement with VETQAS customers.

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2026–2027 Biological Reagent Price List

New pricing for our biological reagents is now available, with updated costs applying from 1 April 2026.

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AHNTI EU 2026 in London

Meet our Business Development team at AHNTI EU 2026, where 850+ leaders are shaping the future of animal health.

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