Frequently asked questions.

GeneDance supports three main sequencing approaches:

• Amplicon sequencing, targeted 16S/ITS region analysis for microbial community profiling (available on all plans)
• Metagenome sequencing, shotgun sequencing for functional potential and deeper taxonomic resolution (Professional plan only)
• Whole genome sequencing, complete genome assembly and annotation for isolate characterisation (Professional plan only)

All plans include automated bioinformatics covering quality control, taxonomic classification, diversity analysis (alpha and beta diversity), and interactive report generation. The Professional plan additionally includes functional annotation, pathway reconstruction, antimicrobial resistance gene detection, and custom pipeline configurations.

From sample receipt to final report, typical turnaround times are:

• Amplicon sequencing: 5–7 business days
• Metagenome sequencing: 8–12 business days
• Whole genome sequencing: 10–14 business days

Bioinformatics processing begins automatically upon data generation, so results are delivered with minimal delay after sequencing completion.

GeneDance is an all-in-one platform that handles the entire workflow, sample logistics, sequencing, bioinformatics, and publication-ready reports, under one transparent pricing model. Key differentiators include:

• Built by world-leading microbiome experts
• Swiss data residency with full GDPR compliance
• One-click experimental workflow with 24/7 availability
• Unlimited data reprocessing included in all plans
• No capital investment in equipment or personnel required

All plans include: platform access, sample logistics coordination, automated bioinformatics, interactive reports, data archiving, unlimited reprocessing, and 24/7 platform availability. Sequencing costs are charged per sample on top of the platform fee, see our Pricing page for current rates.

All data is stored in Switzerland, subject to Swiss and EU data protection law. The platform is fully GDPR compliant. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit. Your data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent.

Yes, the Free Trial is completely free and requires no credit card. It supports up to 20 samples using amplicon sequencing. It is designed to let you experience the full platform workflow before committing to a paid plan.

The Professional plan is billed monthly at €2,500/month and includes up to 2,500 samples per month. It provides access to genome pipelines, custom report templates, and priority support. Unused sample capacity does not roll over between billing periods.

You own your data. GeneDance acts solely as a data processor. You retain full intellectual property rights over your raw sequencing data and all derived analyses. We do not use your data for internal research, model training, or any other purpose without explicit written agreement.

Large labs with high sample volumes can discuss custom pricing, dedicated infrastructure, and bespoke SLAs on top of the Professional plan. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

The platform accepts physical samples shipped to our certified laboratory. Sample metadata is submitted through the portal in CSV or directly via the web interface. Raw FASTQ data can also be uploaded for reanalysis through the portal if sequencing was performed externally.

Each project delivers: interactive HTML reports, publication-quality figures (PNG/SVG), raw FASTQ files, processed abundance tables (CSV), and a full methods section for manuscript submission. Reports are accessible directly in the portal and can be exported or shared with a secure link.

Yes. All plans include unlimited reprocessing of your data. You can regenerate reports with updated parameters, different reference databases, or revised sample groupings at any time, 24/7, at no additional cost.

Data retention depends on your plan: Free Trial (30 days), Starter (180 days), Growth (365 days), Professional (730 days). You can export your raw data at any time. Extended retention can be arranged for any plan, contact us for details.

All users have access to our documentation and email support. Professional customers receive priority response times and a dedicated account manager. We offer onboarding sessions to ensure you get maximum value from the platform from day one.

Amplicon sequencing requires a minimum of 10 ng of extracted DNA per sample. DNA should be of sufficient quality (A260/A280 ratio 1.8–2.0). Please refer to our sample submission guidelines in the portal for full details on extraction methods and submission formats.

Metagenome sequencing requires a minimum of 100 ng of high-molecular-weight DNA. DNA integrity number (DIN) ≥ 7 is recommended for optimal library preparation. If your samples are degraded, please contact us before shipping for guidance.

Whole genome sequencing requires a minimum of 1 µg of genomic DNA. High-molecular-weight DNA (DIN ≥ 8) is strongly recommended for accurate genome assembly. Isolate cultures can also be submitted directly, we handle extraction in-house.

Yes. Minimum batch sizes are 20 samples for amplicon sequencing and 50 samples for metagenome and genome sequencing. This ensures cost-effective library pooling and consistent sequencing quality across your project.

Failed samples are not charged. You will receive a credit for any sample that does not pass our pre-sequencing QC. We will notify you immediately with details of the failure and guidance on resubmission.

Yes. The GeneDance portal provides real-time tracking of your samples through every stage: shipment receipt, QC assessment, library preparation, sequencing, and bioinformatics. You receive automated email notifications at each stage transition.