DNA sequencing is carried out using nanopore technology, whereby the DNA molecule is actively channeled through a protein pore. At the same time, an algorithm translates the smallest current changes caused by the different bases into the DNA sequence
in contrast to classical 16S DNA sequencing, all variable regions (1 to 9) of the bacterial 16S ribosomal gene are detected on the same DNA strand; additionally the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and a part of the 23S gene are detected
each microbiome sample is individually labeled with short DNA identification sequences (so-called nano-IDs)
the DNA sequences obtained are compared in a mainframe computer with tens of thousands of known bacterial reference sequences
Analyses of the long gene fragments, the PCR amplicons, allow a significantly improved resolution of the bacterial species, often down to the subspecies level
