At Sequential, the mission has always been clear: to understand the impact of the microbiome on humans and how humans impact the microbiome in order to characterize human health fully. This year, Sequential is proud to announce the launch of Multi-Omic Studies — a groundbreaking initiative that brings back to the core of their mission by offering an unparalleled approach to skin health research.

By combining human and microbial analysis, Sequential is setting a new standard in clinical testing. This comprehensive methodology enables them to unlock deeper insights into the complex interplay between the microbiome and human biology, offering more tailored and effective product assessments for our partners in personal care and the pharmaceutical industries.

A Holistic Approach to Human and Microbiome Interactions

The Multi-Omic Studies are designed to evaluate both human and microbial biological processes in tandem, creating a fuller picture of how products impact skin health.

Human-Centered Analysis

On the host side, Sequential employs cutting-edge technologies to assess how the human body responds to products at a molecular level. Sequential key areas of investigation include:

• SNP Detection & Risk Assessment: By identifying key genetic markers linked to health, aging, and disease susceptibility, we can predict individual responsiveness to formulations, helping brands design more precise .
• Metabolomics: Mapping metabolic pathways before and after product application provides crucial insights into how a formulation influences overall skin and body health, offering a new level of personalized wellness evaluation.
• Human Gene Expression: Examining how genes are activated in response to lifestyle, environmental factors, and treatments allows us to measure the effect of formulations on skin-related gene expression — an essential step in validating product claims.
• Protein Profiling: Analyzing protein biomarkers enables us to track biological changes and measure skin protein production following treatments, providing key indicators of formulation efficacy.
• Lipid Profiling: Investigating lipid composition reveals insights into skin barrier function and health, allowing us to assess how products restore lipid homeostasis and improve skin resilience.

Microbiome-Centered Analysis

On the microbiome side, Sequential continues to lead the industry with our proprietary Smart Probes™ qPCR technology, alongside advanced microbial analysis techniques:

• Sequential Smart Probes™ qPCR: This method quantifies 20 key microbes in any sample, offering absolute quantification to assess how formulations impact the levels of the most significant microorganisms within the skin microbiome.
• Bacterial Profiling (16S Sequencing): Sequential evaluates the abundance of all bacteria present in a sample to understand how formulations influence the overall microbial community on the skin.
• Fungal Profiling (ITS): Our ITS sequencing technique investigates the abundance of all fungi present in a sample, shedding light on how formulations impact the skin’s fungal community.
• Whole Microbial Profiling (Shotgun Metagenomics): This comprehensive approach evaluates the abundance of all bacteria, fungi, and viruses present in a sample, providing a complete picture of how formulations reshape the skin’s microbial landscape.
• Microbial Gene Expression (Metatranscriptomics): By analyzing gene activity within microbial communities, they uncover how formulations affect skin-related microbial gene expression in response to treatments.

Driving Personalized Innovation Through Science  (or advancing precision innovation through science)

By integrating these multi-omic studies, Sequential empowers brands and researchers to gain actionable insights at every layer of skin health — from the host’s genetic predispositions to the dynamic microbial communities that inhabit the skin.

This approach not only provides more precise data on how products work but also helps identify personalized biomarkers for more precise product formulations. Sequential commitment to publishing findings with partners further contributes to expanding the literature in the microbiome field, pushing the entire industry forward.

A Commitment to Scientific Excellence

With over 25,000 clinical skin microbiome samples already in their database and growing, Sequential remains at the forefront of microbiome testing. The addition of multi-omic capabilities solidifies their position as the industry leader in comprehensive clinical microbiome research.

Sequential invite brands and researchers to join them on this journey as they continue to advance the science behind skin health — offering targeted solutions that unlock new levels of personal care and product innovation.

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CONTACT

Sequential

https://www.sequentialskin.com/