Our genomics team can work with you to create a tailored study design that meets your research or project goals. Whether you're conducting a small-scale project or a large, complex study, we can provide expert guidance to ensure your experiment is set up for success, including sample collection strategies, controls, and methodologies suited to your needs. 

We offer expert sample extraction services for a wide variety of biological materials, including animals, plants and microbes. We have the expertise to extract for unique, challenging samples. 

Previous sample types we have worked with include (but not limited to) -

• Species: Animal (guinea pig, lobster, birds, coral, marine sponge), human, plant (Radiata pine), bacteria, avian, fish
• Sample types:
  • Tissue: e.g. Mammalian adipose, liver, muscle, stomach, jejunum, brain, heart, formalin fixed samples
  • Body fluids: e.g. saliva, blood (whole, serum, plasma), CSF 

Our state-of-the-art sequencing capabilities cover everything from basic DNA or RNA sequencing to more advanced applications like whole-genome sequencing, targeted sequence enrichment (adaptive sampling), epigenetic modifications and metagenomics/transcriptomics. We provide high-quality data using the latest technologies (ONT and Illumina), ensuring that your sequencing needs are met efficiently and with precision.

Once your samples are sequenced, our team of bioinformatics specialists can help process and analyse the data. We offer in-depth genomic data interpretation, ranging from variant calling to genome assembly and more. This ensures that you have meaningful, actionable insights from your results. 

Our team will deliver comprehensive reports relevant to your needs. For instance: appropriate data interpretation, bioinformatics insights, and expert commentary. We ensure that the results are explained in the context of your study, providing clear, detailed information to support your research objectives, whether for publication, clinical application, or further study. 

Current tools available at PHF Science include:

• Oxford Nanopore technology GridION and P2solo
• Illumina Next Seq and MiSeq
• Agilent Tape station
• Amplicon sequencing - we have developed an in-house amplicon sequencing pipeline (AmpSeq) that is a high throughput method for sequencing amplicon reactions. Consensus sequences can be generated for amplicon species within a sample generating greater resolution and insight than Sanger sequencing. AmpSeq is currently accredited under ISO.

Other unique offerings and methods include:

• ONT long read or ultra long read sequencing
• Targeted enrichment of regions of interest using ONT's adaptive sampling
• Base modifications (e.g. DNA Methylation, RNA modifications)
• Short-read Illumina sequencing
• Metagenomics
• Metatranscriptomics
• Development of diagnostic assays using isothermal amplification techniques such as loop-mediated isothermal amplifications or padlock rolling circle amplification.
• Sample enrichment/depletion prior to sequencing
• Standard molecular biology techniques available in any fully equipped PC1/PC2 laboratory.
• Bioinformatic analysis raging from genome assembly and species identification to source tracking and variant calling.

Please contact us on GenomESR@phfscience.nz if any of the above services would suit your needs.

NOTE: This is a commercial or research-based service. For diagnostic subtyping of human derived or clinical samples, please contact us here.

PHF Science offer end-to-end whole genome sequencing services from DNA extraction to reference genome assembly. Our team has delivered high-quality genomic data for a diverse array of species, including multiple fish taxa, albatross, black coral and radiata pine. With access to both Illumina short-read and Oxford Nanopore long-read platforms, we can tailor our workflow to meet the specific needs of your project, whether you're working with marine, avian, plant, or microbial samples.

We provide cost-effective taxonomic profiling from phylum to species level using amplicon sequencing, whether you're targeting bacteria with 16S rRNA or fungi via ITS regions. This includes a detailed analysis through sequence variant analysis for precise identification of microbial taxa. Want to dig even deeper? Talk to us about our long-read sequencing options to unlock full-length 16S gene sequencing for higher phylogenetic accuracy and improved detection of rare taxa in complex or low abundance samples.

Uncover the complexity of microbial ecosystems with our whole metagenome shotgun sequencing approach powered by advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Unlike targeted methods, metagenomic sequencing can capture the entire genetic content of a community, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and even eukaryotes, without the need for prior culturing. By sequencing the full metagenome, we can deliver high-resolution taxonomic profiling to identify organisms at the species and strain level revealing insights across conditions to track shifts in microbial dynamics. No matter the sample type, our customised workflows and expert bioinformatics support ensure you get meaningful, actionable data.

PHF Science environmental DNA (eDNA) testing services offer a non-invasive way to explore microbial communities across diverse environments. Coupled with our vast experience in dealing with a broad range of sample types we can support you whether you're safeguarding public health, optimising agricultural productivity, monitoring ecosystems, or ensuring indoor air quality. Using either amplicon sequencing or shotgun metagenomic sequencing we can deliver solutions for scientists, industry leaders, government agencies, and everyday decision-makers.

PHF Science offer ribosome sequencing (Ribo-seq) services that can provide an insight into the translated gene transcripts, revealing not just which genes are expressed—but which ones are actively being translated into proteins. An ideal technique for understanding the phenotype of any organism, ribo-seq is comparable to mass spectrophotometric methods in revealing protein dynamics, while also providing insight into the post-transcriptional landscape of a cell. Whether you're studying a stress response, disease mechanisms, microbial activity, or host-pathogen interactions, ribosome profiling provides unparalleled insight into real-time protein synthesis.

PHF Science are also ready to offer our expertise in establishing any new technique you would like to perform including but not limited to: 

The PHF Science team can support you in any work looking at functional genomics. We have experience in performing transcriptomic studies ranging from pine tree needles to clinical or research samples.  Whether you're investigating disease mechanisms, microbial activity, environmental responses, or cellular pathways, our RNA sequencing workflows are designed to deliver high-resolution, biologically meaningful data across any sample type.

PHF Science offer:

Long and short read RNA sequencing allowing you to:

• Capture the full transcriptome to explore gene expression, splicing events, and non-coding RNAs.
• Applicable to human, animal, microbial, plant, and environmental samples.
• Ideal for studies in biomedicine, agriculture, ecology, and industrial biotechnology.

Quantitative Gene Expression with Spike-In Controls

• Add external RNA spike-in standards for absolute quantification of transcript abundance.
• Improve cross-sample comparability and normalization accuracy.
• Essential for biomarker discovery, drug response profiling, and time-series studies.

Custom Transcript Depletion

• Remove overabundant transcripts (e.g., RuBisCO, globin, or host background).
• Maximise sequencing yield and sensitivity for low-abundance transcripts.
• Tailored depletion and enrichment strategies for microbial, environmental, and host-associated samples.

Bioinformatics and Interpretation

• Differential expression analysis, pathway enrichment, and functional annotation.
• Custom reporting for regulatory, academic, or industrial applications.