12S rRNA sequencing analyses a region of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene. This marker is widely used in molecular biology to help identify animal species from biological or food-derived material by comparing the obtained sequence with reference databases. At Biopassion Diagnostics, this service is positioned for species identification and related authentication or research applications—not as a general human health-screening DNA test or a test for inherited disease diagnosis.
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12S rRNA Sequencing
DNA Testing
12S rRNA Sequencing
KSh 16,000.00
Regular price
KSh 13,600.00
Current price
-15%
What Is the 12S rRNA Sequencing?
Ribosomes are the cellular machinery that build proteins. In animal mitochondria, one of the ribosomal RNA genes is commonly called 12S rRNA. Because mitochondrial DNA is present in many copies per cell and contains regions that differ between species, short stretches of the 12S gene are frequently used as a DNA barcode for vertebrates and other animals.
In practice, laboratory staff extract DNA from an approved sample, amplify the relevant 12S fragment, determine its nucleotide sequence, and compare that sequence with curated reference databases. A close match can support identification of the source species or help detect unexpected species in a product mixture.
This approach is used in food authentication (for example meat or fish species checks), wildlife and biodiversity studies, forensic species attribution, and related research settings. It is not designed to diagnose human genetic disorders or to provide personalised medical treatment plans.
Why Is This Test Performed?
12S rRNA sequencing may be requested to:
- Identify the animal species present in a tissue, product, or environmental sample
- Support food or meat authentication where mislabelling or substitution is suspected
- Help verify declared species in fish, meat, or other animal-derived materials when the laboratory accepts that specimen type
- Contribute sequence data for biodiversity, ecological, or research projects that rely on mitochondrial barcoding
- Assist investigations that need molecular evidence of species origin rather than a human clinical diagnosis
If your enquiry relates to a different laboratory question—such as human pathogen detection, paternity testing, or medical genetics—ask Biopassion Diagnostics which test is appropriate. Those applications use other methods and markers.
Who Should Consider This Test?
This service is relevant for:
- Food businesses, quality teams, or investigators assessing possible meat or fish species substitution
- Researchers or organisations needing mitochondrial 12S-based species identification
- Wildlife, veterinary, or biodiversity projects that require molecular species assignment from approved samples
- Clients who have been specifically advised by a laboratory or specialist that 12S rRNA sequencing is the correct marker for their material
It is not appropriate for:
- People seeking routine preventive health screening
- Investigation of unexplained medical symptoms as a first-line clinical DNA test
- Diagnosis of inherited genetic conditions
- Situations that legally require a different chain-of-custody or court-directed protocol unless that process is arranged in advance
What the Sequencing Analysis Examines
The analysis examines nucleotide sequence variation within a targeted portion of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (or an equivalent validated amplicon used by the laboratory).
From that sequence, bioinformatics comparison can:
- Suggest the closest matching species or taxonomic group in available reference databases
- Support confirmation or rejection of an expected species identity for the submitted material
- In some workflows, indicate mixed signals if more than one template is present, subject to method limitations
The test does not measure human disease biomarkers, hormone levels, or clinical chemistry panels. Matching quality depends on sequence length and quality, database coverage, and how closely related candidate species are.
Sample Requirements
Accepted materials depend on the laboratory’s validated workflow. Typical specimen categories for 12S-based species identification in the scientific literature include:
- Animal tissue
- Meat or fish product portions
- Other animal-derived materials suitable for DNA extraction
- In research settings, additional biological matrices when validated
Exact accepted sample types, minimum quantity, packaging, and transport conditions must be confirmed with Biopassion Diagnostics before collection. Do not send hazardous, poorly labelled, or decomposing material without prior instruction.
Because mitochondrial DNA yield and integrity vary with processing (heat, curing, mixing), heavily processed products may be harder to analyse than fresh tissue.
Test Preparation
There is no patient fasting requirement for product or tissue authentication work.
Preparation focuses on sample integrity and documentation:
- Follow the collection and packaging instructions provided at booking
- Avoid cross-contamination between products or species during sampling
- Label each specimen clearly with source details and the question being asked (for example, “declared as beef—confirm species”)
- Provide any chain-of-custody or consent paperwork if the case requires formal documentation
- Tell the laboratory if the product is cooked, mixed, powdered, or otherwise processed
If a human clinical specimen were ever involved under a different protocol, separate consent and medical documentation rules would apply; confirm the correct pathway with the laboratory.
How the Test Works
- Booking or test request — Confirm that 12S rRNA sequencing is the correct service for your sample and question, then book with Biopassion Diagnostics.
- Sample submission — Submit the approved material with clear labelling and any required paperwork.
- Laboratory analysis — DNA is extracted, the 12S target region is amplified, and sequencing is performed using the laboratory’s validated method.
- Database comparison — The sequence is compared with reference databases to support taxonomic assignment.
- Quality review — Sequence quality, match strength, and reporting limits are checked before release.
- Report delivery — A confidential report summarises the identification findings and relevant limitations.
- Follow-up — Complex or unexpected matches may need specialist discussion, confirmatory markers (such as COI or cyt b), or additional sampling.
What the Results May Show
Reports typically describe the sequencing outcome in terms such as:
- Species or taxonomic identification supported by database match
- Identification consistent with the declared species
- Identification inconsistent with the declared species (possible substitution or mislabelling)
- Inconclusive result due to poor DNA quality, mixed templates, or insufficient database resolution
- No reliable match within the available reference set
Match confidence depends on sequence quality and how completely related species are represented in reference libraries. Closely related species can be difficult to separate with a single marker.
Results should be interpreted in light of the sample type, processing history, and the question posed. This webpage does not certify legal authenticity of a commercial product by itself; formal authentication programmes may require additional controls.
Benefits or Clinical Value
Value of the analysis
When applied to the correct sample and question, 12S rRNA sequencing can:
- Provide molecular evidence for animal species identity
- Support food or product authentication investigations
- Help detect undeclared species where the method and sampling strategy allow
- Generate sequence data useful for biodiversity or research comparisons
- Inform whether further testing with additional genetic markers is warranted
It offers targeted molecular identification, not a broad medical health profile.
Limitations and Important Considerations
- Reference-database matching can only identify species that are adequately represented; novel or poorly curated taxa may return weak or incorrect assignments.
- Closely related species may share highly similar 12S sequences and require additional markers for resolution.
- Mixed or heavily processed samples can yield inconclusive or composite signals.
- DNA degradation, inhibitors, and contamination can prevent reliable sequencing.
- A laboratory report is not automatically a legal certificate unless a defined chain-of-custody and reporting framework was arranged.
- This test is not a screen for human hereditary disease and should not be ordered for that purpose.
- Biopassion’s exact accepted matrices, report format, and turnaround time should be confirmed at booking. This page flags the service for laboratory review of intended-use wording.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is 12S rRNA sequencing a medical genetic disorder test?No. The 12S mitochondrial marker is primarily used for species identification and related authentication or research applications. It is not a standard test for diagnosing inherited human genetic disorders.
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What kinds of samples can be analysed?Accepted sample types must be confirmed with Biopassion Diagnostics. In scientific practice, animal tissue and many meat or fish products are common materials for 12S-based identification, provided DNA quality is adequate.
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How does species identification work?DNA from the sample is sequenced across a targeted 12S region and compared with reference databases. A strong match can support assignment to a species or taxonomic group.
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Can the test prove food adulteration on its own?It can provide supportive molecular evidence of species identity or mismatch. Formal adulteration conclusions often require appropriate sampling, controls, documentation, and sometimes additional markers or methods.
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What can make a result inconclusive?Poor DNA quality, mixed species in one sample, incomplete reference databases, and very closely related species can all limit definitive identification.
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Is home sample collection available?Availability depends on the sample type and booking arrangements. Contact Biopassion Diagnostics to confirm whether collection support is offered for your specific material.
Pricing
| Test Name | Current Price | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12S rRNA Sequencing | KSh 13,600.00 | KSh 16,000.00 |
Book the 12S rRNA Sequencing
Contact Biopassion Diagnostics to confirm sample requirements and schedule this test.
SKU: 986648642d1a | Category: DNA Testing