Nova Lifetech: NGS bioinformatics, end to end. Singapore-based bioinformatics consultancy founded in 2017. UEN 201712882Z.

Bioinformatics. Technical consultation.

for health · food · agriculture · environment

PhD-led advice in environmental microbiology, pathogen detection and antimicrobial resistance. We have worked with academic groups, government agencies, biotech companies and aquaculture operators.

01 Surveillance and monitoring design

Design a surveillance or monitoring programme that produces defensible results: what to sample, where, how often, which assay, and how to read a detection or a non-detection. Covers eDNA and microbial surveillance for pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and environmental health.

For: Agencies · aquaculture operators · utilities · academic groups

Workflow

  1. Define the question and the decision the data must support
  2. Sampling design: sites, replicates, frequency and controls
  3. Assay and marker selection: qPCR, ddPCR, metabarcoding or metagenomics
  4. Field and lab SOPs: collection, filtration, preservation, contamination control
  5. Data analysis plan and detection thresholds
  6. Reporting format for management, agencies or regulators

Report outputs

  • Surveillance design document
  • Sampling plan and field SOP
  • Assay selection and validation plan
  • Interpretation guide: detections, non-detections, false positives
  • Reporting template
  • Roll-out and review plan

02 Microbiology assessment

A scientist-led assessment of the microbial status and risk of a system: a pond, water source, treatment plant or facility. We review what is known, plan the testing, interpret pathogen, indicator and resistance results, and tell you what they mean for your operation.

For: Aquaculture operators · utilities · food and environmental teams · agencies

Workflow

  1. Scope the system and the risks of concern
  2. Review existing data, records and prior results
  3. Testing plan: pathogens, indicators, resistance genes, community profiling
  4. Interpret results against baselines and applicable guidance
  5. Risk characterisation and priorities
  6. Recommendations and a monitoring plan

Report outputs

  • Assessment report with findings and risk ranking
  • Pathogen and AMR interpretation summary
  • Source-tracking or contamination analysis where relevant
  • Recommended controls and monitoring plan
  • Executive summary for non-specialists

03 Study and project design

Design the study before you spend on it: aims, experimental design, sampling, controls, sequencing depth and statistics, so the data can answer the question you are asking. We also review plans written by others.

For: Academic groups · biotech R&D · agencies

Workflow

  1. Clarify aims and hypotheses
  2. Experimental design, replication and controls
  3. Sampling strategy and metadata plan
  4. Method and platform choice, depth and power
  5. Analysis and statistics plan
  6. Pilot design and go/no-go criteria

Report outputs

  • Study design document
  • Sampling and metadata templates
  • Statistical analysis plan
  • Pilot plan with decision criteria
  • Written review of an existing plan

04 Technical and scientific writing

Clear, accurate scientific writing from people who do the work: technical sections of grants and proposals, methods and reports, evidence reviews, SOPs and protocols. We support your authorship and do not replace it.

For: Academic groups · biotech · agencies · operators

Workflow

  1. Brief and audience: reviewers, regulators or the public
  2. Evidence gathering and literature review
  3. Outline agreed with you
  4. Drafting by a domain scientist
  5. Review cycle with your team
  6. Final edit, figures and references

Report outputs

  • Grant and proposal technical sections
  • Methods and results write-ups
  • Technical reports and white papers
  • Evidence and literature reviews
  • SOPs and protocols
  • Plain-language summaries
  • Responses to reviewers

05 Independent expert review

A second opinion you can rely on: independent scientific review of results, methods, vendor claims or a project plan. Useful before an investment, a purchase, a submission or any decision that is hard to reverse.

For: Investors · operators · agencies · R&D leaders

Workflow

  1. Agree the question and the material to review
  2. Review of data, methods and claims
  3. Independent re-analysis where needed
  4. Findings and confidence rating
  5. Written opinion and discussion

Report outputs

  • Written expert opinion
  • Technical due-diligence summary
  • Method and vendor scorecard
  • Re-analysis check of reported results
  • Briefing for decision-makers

06 R&D strategy and training

Decide where microbiome and molecular methods fit in your organisation, then build the in-house capability to use them. Includes tailored workshops built around your team's own data and questions.

For: R&D leaders · operators · investors · wet-lab teams

Workflow diagram: Workflow · technical consultation

Workflow

  1. Use-case discovery and scoping
  2. ROI and value assessment
  3. Method and vendor recommendation
  4. Roadmap and capability plan
  5. Tailored workshops and handover

Report outputs

  • Strategic roadmap
  • Value and ROI assessment
  • Vendor and method recommendations
  • Memo report and slide deck
  • Custom workshop syllabus and materials

Who we work with

Academic, government, biotech and aquaculture teams.

Academic groups

Study design, methods and technical writing for grants and papers.

Government agencies

Surveillance design, assessments and independent technical review.

Biotech companies

Method and vendor assessment, due diligence and R&D strategy.

Aquaculture operators

Pathogen and resistance assessments, with early-warning monitoring.

Tell us what you are deciding.

Describe your project and a scientist will reply within two working days.

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