ICEMHH
Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health
MGAL
Microbial Genomics and Analytical Laboratory
Service Descriptions
Please note that we are NOT accepting new genomics projects until August 25, 2025.
We will continue accepting mass spec samples during this time.
Turnaround time for our services are dependent on the type of service(s) being provided and the number of samples submitted. Due to an unusually high volume of project submissions, our processing time for single region amplicon library preparation from DNA extracts for 2-4 plates is approximately 4-6 weeks. DNA extractions are usually completed within 2-4 weeks. If your project deviates from MGAL standard protocols (see the dropdown section below for details), the turnaround time will be extended.
Users can opt to expedite their sample turnaround times.
An expedite fee will be charged in addition to the standard service rates. Please contact us for more information.
To request a formal quote, email us at mgal@hawaii.edu.
Full-Service Rates
(effective 8/25/25)
| Service | University of Hawaii Users | Private & Commercial Users |
|---|---|---|
| DNA Extractions (High throughput – MagAttract PowerSoil Kit) | $21.00/sample (1‐24 samples) $14.85/sample (25‐48 samples) $11.75/sample (49‐96 samples) | $31.50/sample (1‐24 samples) $22.30/sample (25‐48 samples) $17.65/sample (49‐96 samples) |
| DNA Extractions (High throughput – NucleoMag Kit ) | $12.50/sample (1‐24 samples) $7.95/sample (25‐48 samples) $5.70/sample (49‐96 samples) | $18.75/sample (1‐24 samples) $11.95/sample (25‐48 samples) $8.55/sample (49‐96 samples) |
| DNA Extractions (Spin columns) | Variable depending on kit | Variable depending on kit |
| Sample Transfer Fee | $2.75/sample | $4.10/sample |
| qPCR (Probe) | $4.00/sample (1‐24 samples) $2.75/sample (25‐48 samples) $2.10/sample (49‐96 samples) Multiply price by number of replicates | $6.00/sample (1‐24 samples) $4.10/sample (25‐48 samples) $3.15/sample (49‐96 samples) Multiply price by number of replicates |
| qPCR (SYBR) | $3.60/sample (1‐24 samples) $2.30/sample (25‐48 samples) $1.65/sample (49‐96 samples) Multiply price by number of replicates | $5.40/sample (1‐24 samples) $3.45/sample (25‐48 samples) $2.45/sample (49‐96 samples) Multiply price by number of replicates |
| qPCR Library Quantification | $48.20 for the 1st library $11.00 for each additional library | $72.30 for the 1st library $16.50 for each additional library |
| PCR (16S/18S/ITS) | $4.55/sample (1‐24 samples) $2.80/sample (25‐48 samples) $1.90/sample (49‐96 samples) | $6.80/sample (1‐24 samples) $4.20/sample (25‐48 samples) $2.85/sample (49‐96 samples) |
| Purification and Normalization of PCR Products | $137.50/plate (1‐96 samples) | $206.25/plate (1‐96 samples) |
| Amplicon Purification (SPRI Bead Cleanup) | $3.85/sample | $5.75/sample |
| Gel Extraction | $6.05/sample | $9.05/sample |
| Library Purification (SPRI Bead Cleanup) | $26.40/library | $39.60/library |
| Bioanalyzer (dsDNA HS) | $99.00/chip (up to 11 samples) | $148.50/chip (up to 11 samples) |
| Agarose gel electrophoresis (with annotation) | $55.00/gel (1‐192 samples) | $82.50/gel (1‐192 samples) |
| NanoDrop | $1.30/sample | $1.95/sample |
| Qubit | $2.75/sample | $4.15/sample |
| Technician Fee | $58.25/hour | $87.40/hour |
| Instrument Training* | $11.00/instrument | $16.50/instrument |
| N2 Evaporator | $11.00/hour | $16.50/hour |
| Analysis Sample Prep | Determined after consultation | |
| GCMS | $19.80/sample | $29.70/sample |
| DART MS | $25.30/sample | $33.00/sample |
| New User Setup | $137.50 | $206.25 |
| * Excludes Lyophilizer and KingFisher Flex use (requires technician set-up fees). | ||
| Rates subject to change (rates effective 08/25/2025) | ||
**If you have all reagents, consumables, and instruments in your lab, a technician can process your service order request from your lab.
MGAL Standard Protocols
DNA Extractions (High throughput)
DNA extractions are performed on the KingFisher Flex using the Qiagen MagAttract PowerSoil DNA EP Kit (Cat. no. 27100-4-EP). MGAL also offer extractions using the Macherey-Nagel NucleoMag Tissue Kit (Cat. no. 744300.4) or any other user-provided extraction kit.
One extraction blank will automatically be added to each full or partial plate of samples. You can opt out of this by notifying MGAL.
A proteinase K digestion step is included in all extractions.
DNA Extractions (Spin columns) MGAL does not carry any spin column kits. Spin column kits and protocols must be provided by the user. If MGAL purchases the kit, the user will be invoiced for the cost + S&H + 5% processing fee.
Sample Transfer Fee If raw samples are not received in 2 mL bead tubes with lysing matrix for DNA extraction, MGAL will charge a sample transfer fee to perform this service. MGAL uses 1.4 mm or 2.8 mm ceramic beads in 2 mL bead tubes. Qiagen 0.7 mm garnet is also available, if preferred.
qPCR (Probe) Samples will be processed with the TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix.
qPCR (SYBR) Samples will be processed with the PowerUp SYBR Green Master Mix.
qPCR (Library Quantification) MGAL uses the NEBNext Library Quant Kit for Illumina for library quantification.
PCR (16S/18S) MGAL uses ThermoFisher Platinum II Hot-Start PCR Master Mix (2X) for these reactions. The 16S primers and 18S primers are identical to those used by the Earth Microbiome Project. A PCR Positive Control and a PCR Negative Control will automatically be added to your samples for an added 2 reactions per partial or full plate of reactions. You can opt out of this by notifying MGAL. The PCR Positive Control for 16S is the ZymoBIOMICS Microbial Community DNA Standard.
PCR (ITS) MGAL uses KAPA3G Plant PCR Kits for these reactions. The ITS primers are identical to those used by the Earth Microbiome Project.
Purification and Normalization of PCR Products During amplicon library preparation, the Charm Biotech Just-a-Plate 96 PCR Purification and Normalization Kit is used to normalize and purify PCR products. A PCR Positive Control and a PCR Negative Control will automatically be added to your samples for an added 2 reactions per partial or full plate of reactions. You can opt out of this by notifying MGAL.
Amplicon Purification After PCR, amplicons can be purified and size-selected using SPRI bead clean-up. MGAL uses a low-cost alternative to Beckman Coulter AMPure XP Beads.
Library Purification After amplicons have been purified and normalized using the SequalPrep kit, the samples are pooled and then purified and size-selected using SPRI bead clean-up. MGAL uses a low-cost alternative to Beckman Coulter AMPure XP Beads.
Bioanalyzer DNA, RNA, and protein samples can be analyzed using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. For amplicon library QC, the Agilent High Sensitivity DNA Kit is used. For DNA, RNA, and protein samples, the appropriate Agilent Bioanalyzer kit will be used. MGAL carries the High Sensitivity DNA Kit, but all other kits are not regularly stocked in MGAL and this service will have an extended turnaround time and may be subject to additional fees.
Agarose gel electrophoresis MGAL is able to load up to 192 samples on a single agarose gel electrophoresis run. MGAL uses Midori Green Advance dye, Alfa Aesar Orange G loading dye (6X), DNAmark 100bp Ladder, and TAE buffer for gels.
NanoDrop MGAL houses the Multiskan Sky Microplate Spectrophotometer which can process up to 16 samples at a time.
Qubit 4 The Qubit dsDNA HS Assay Kit and the Qubit dsDNA BR Assay Kit are both stocked in MGAL at all times. Any other assay kits will need to be purchased and will have an extended turnaround time.
DNA Extractions (Spin columns) MGAL does not carry any spin column kits. Spin column kits and protocols must be provided by the user. If MGAL purchases the kit, the user will be invoiced for the cost + S&H + 5% processing fee.
Sample Transfer Fee If raw samples are not received in 2 mL bead tubes with lysing matrix for DNA extraction, MGAL will charge a sample transfer fee to perform this service. MGAL uses 1.4 mm or 2.8 mm ceramic beads in 2 mL bead tubes. Qiagen 0.7 mm garnet is also available, if preferred.
qPCR (Probe) Samples will be processed with the TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix.
qPCR (SYBR) Samples will be processed with the PowerUp SYBR Green Master Mix.
qPCR (Library Quantification) MGAL uses the NEBNext Library Quant Kit for Illumina for library quantification.
PCR (16S/18S) MGAL uses ThermoFisher Platinum II Hot-Start PCR Master Mix (2X) for these reactions. The 16S primers and 18S primers are identical to those used by the Earth Microbiome Project. A PCR Positive Control and a PCR Negative Control will automatically be added to your samples for an added 2 reactions per partial or full plate of reactions. You can opt out of this by notifying MGAL. The PCR Positive Control for 16S is the ZymoBIOMICS Microbial Community DNA Standard.
PCR (ITS) MGAL uses KAPA3G Plant PCR Kits for these reactions. The ITS primers are identical to those used by the Earth Microbiome Project.
Purification and Normalization of PCR Products During amplicon library preparation, the Charm Biotech Just-a-Plate 96 PCR Purification and Normalization Kit is used to normalize and purify PCR products. A PCR Positive Control and a PCR Negative Control will automatically be added to your samples for an added 2 reactions per partial or full plate of reactions. You can opt out of this by notifying MGAL.
Amplicon Purification After PCR, amplicons can be purified and size-selected using SPRI bead clean-up. MGAL uses a low-cost alternative to Beckman Coulter AMPure XP Beads.
Library Purification After amplicons have been purified and normalized using the SequalPrep kit, the samples are pooled and then purified and size-selected using SPRI bead clean-up. MGAL uses a low-cost alternative to Beckman Coulter AMPure XP Beads.
Bioanalyzer DNA, RNA, and protein samples can be analyzed using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. For amplicon library QC, the Agilent High Sensitivity DNA Kit is used. For DNA, RNA, and protein samples, the appropriate Agilent Bioanalyzer kit will be used. MGAL carries the High Sensitivity DNA Kit, but all other kits are not regularly stocked in MGAL and this service will have an extended turnaround time and may be subject to additional fees.
Agarose gel electrophoresis MGAL is able to load up to 192 samples on a single agarose gel electrophoresis run. MGAL uses Midori Green Advance dye, Alfa Aesar Orange G loading dye (6X), DNAmark 100bp Ladder, and TAE buffer for gels.
NanoDrop MGAL houses the Multiskan Sky Microplate Spectrophotometer which can process up to 16 samples at a time.
Qubit 4 The Qubit dsDNA HS Assay Kit and the Qubit dsDNA BR Assay Kit are both stocked in MGAL at all times. Any other assay kits will need to be purchased and will have an extended turnaround time.
Amplicon Library Preparation Workflow
The Amplicon Library Preparation Workflow outlines the standard MGAL processes involved in amplicon library preparation
(see the "MGAL Standard Protocols" drop down above for more details). Library preparation protocols vary between labs. You may run into compatibility issues if you sequence an MGAL-prepared amplicon library with samples prepared using different protocols.
For each plate of samples, this amounts to approximately $1,500.00 for 16S, 18S, or ITS libraries.
For pre-extracted samples in plate format, it will be approximately $460.00 for 16S, 18S, or ITS libraries.