Controls are an important part of microbiome analysis that ensure the process is robust and minimizes bias. We incorporate controls at several stages throughout sample preparation.

Both positive and negative controls are extracted in parallel with every sample. These controls are also carried through the entire process alongside the same samples. After exaction, positive controls enable us to qualify each extraction batch based on yield. Additional positive controls are then introduced prior to library preparation. After sequencing, we use the data from the positive controls to qualify that our extraction and library prep give the expected even lysis and GC coverage. In addition the negative controls provide confidence that out neither our reagents nor process are contaminating samples.