• Public health surveillance of notifiable diseases that cause human illness. Learn more.

• Viral detection in wastewater. Learn more.

• ESR uses the latest technology to provide its next generation sequencing capacity and performs the national sequencing for all COVID-19 positive samples. We use a combination of platforms to obtain the most reliable genome data, these technologies are supplied by Illumina and Oxford Nanopore. 

• Clinical genomics led by Dr Rhys White. Collaboration with Dr Max Bloomfield, Awanui Labs, based at the Wellington Regional Hospital.

• ESR also manages the Genomics special interest group, and the New Zealand Microbiology Network.

• Food safety and quality. 

• Freshwater and groundwater ecology.

• Faecal source tracking.

• Wastewater epidemiology.

ESR can provide sequencing and bioinformatics services to fit customers’ requirements. Scientific support is available from our scientists who can provide expert advice as to the best options and interpretation of results.  

Step 1
ESR cultures the isolate from your company, and extracts the
DNA ready for sequencing.

Step 2
Our scientists sequence the genome of the isolate which is
used initially to provide an identification of the microorganism.
The genome sequence can also be used to investigate the
genetic relationship between bacterial isolates obtained from
different sources. We use tools such the classical seven-gene
Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), and whole or core MLST
which is based on 1,000’s of genes to identify isolates that
are closely related. Depending on the species and questions
asked we can also use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
analysis, which can determine the genetic relationship using a
reference genome. The analysis process can be performed on
multiple genome sequences at a time.

Step 3
ESR provides you with a confidential report explaining the
methods, quality controls and analysis used to generate and
analyse the genome sequence of the isolate(s) sent.

Pricing varies according to the species, number of samples submitted and urgency of your timeframe. Timing depends on the sample size, and we can work on a case-by-case basis to create faster turnaround times in certain situations. The
bioinformatics analysis required to answer your question may also influence the overall cost.

Contact us via genomesr@esr.cri.nz to discuss options and ensure the best possible results from the GenomESR service. 

The isolates and results remain the property of the client and will be kept confidential. The sequence data outputs will be incorporated into the ESR database for future reference use by the client. ESR will always ask permission before using data for any research or publication purposes. ESR will store the raw sequence files and they are available for the client if required.

An option to upload the files onto the public NCBI Sequence Read Archive with minimal isolation information
(species, country, year and ‘food’ isolate label) is available for long-term storage and does not  incur an ongoing cost. No client or further isolation information is included in this option.

Alternatively, long term private storage of data is available and
may incur an additional annual cost. The extracted DNA from client samples will also be stored for one year. The client may request the return of the DNA and remaining sample following
completion of the sequencing project.