🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We're happy to answer questions before you reach out. Below are answers to some of the most common ones — especially from researchers considering our services for the first time.

📌 Getting Started

Q: What kind of clients do you work with?
We primarily serve academic researchers, government labs, biotech companies, and clinical investigators. Our client base ranges from small labs to large international consortia.

Q: How established is your company in the bioinformatics field?
Founded in 2013, we were the first company in the U.S. to offer broad-spectrum, customized bioinformatics solutions to both academic and industry researchers. Since then, we've completed over 400 projects for 180+ institutions worldwide.

Q: What makes your team so effective at delivering high-quality results?
Our team includes eight Lead Bioinformaticians with over 200 years of combined experience in bioinformatics research and development. Many of us hold advanced degrees in both biology/biomedicine and computer science, and have served as faculty members or directors of bioinformatics cores at major U.S. institutions.

Q: What types of bioinformatics services do you offer?
Our offerings span a wide range of areas, including:

• RNA-seq (bulk and single-cell)
• DNA methylation and epigenomics (ATAC-seq, CUT&Tag, ChIP-seq, WGBS)
• Microbiome and metagenomics (16S, shotgun, MAGs)
• Proteomics and multi-omics integration
• Spatial transcriptomics
• Genome assembly and variant calling
• AlphaFold modeling and structural analysis
• Machine learning / AI applications
• Custom pipeline development for unique assays or data types

👉 See our full list of services for details.

Q: How do I request a quote?
Just send a brief email with:

• A short description of your project
• The type of data and number of samples
• Any deadlines or publication goals

We’ll review and respond with a custom quote within 1 business day.

If email doesn’t work, you can also send us an inquiry here.

Q: Can I get a sample report or example project?
Due to confidentiality, we typically don’t share internal reports. However, with permission, we may share sample deliverables from academic clients. You're also welcome to request related publications we contributed to.

🧪 Project Scope & Deliverables

Q: Do you use custom or standardized pipelines?
Both. We have highly optimized workflows for common tasks, but frequently develop custom pipelines tailored to each project. Our goal is to maximize insight, not apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

Q: Can I request a specific tool or package to be used?
Yes — we’re happy to accommodate your preferences, as long as they align with good practices. We’ll also explain our choices when needed.

Q: Will you help with publication preparation or peer review?
Absolutely. We routinely assist with:

• Methods sections for manuscripts
• Revisions in response to reviewer critiques
• Grant proposal methods and resubmissions
• Figures, supplementary materials, and formatting

Q: Do you provide interactive plots or dashboards?
Yes — when appropriate. We can deliver R/Shiny or HTML-based interactive visualizations.

Q: Do you analyze data generated by other vendors?
Yes — we routinely analyze data from most major sequencing providers (e.g., Illumina, PacBio, ONT, 10X Genomics). If unsure, just send us a quick description.

🔐 Data Privacy & Project Structure

Q: Will my data be kept confidential?
Yes. We follow strict data privacy protocols and are happy to sign NDAs. Your data and results are never shared or reused.

Q: Can you work on our institutional server or behind a firewall?
Yes — we often do. We’re experienced with secure environments and can follow institutional IT policies.

Q: Do you offer contracts for long-term support?
Yes. We support both one-off and long-term engagements, with contract-based or PO-based terms.

💰 Pricing, Payments & Logistics

Q: How much do your services cost?
Most projects fall in the $5,000–$9,000 USD range, depending on complexity and turnaround time. This is far less than hiring in-house - and includes lasting support that one-off freelancers rarely offer.
👉 See our pricing guide.
👉 See how we're different from those providers »

Q: I’ve seen lower prices from other providers. Why should I consider working with you?
While low-cost options may seem appealing, we’ve heard from many researchers who lost valuable time - and even publications - due to poor-quality analysis, lack of support, or disappearing freelancers. Some “companies” are actually just individuals behind a nice-looking website.
Since 2013, we’ve completed over 400 projects for 180+ institutions. Our Lead Bioinformaticians average 20+ years of experience, and we support peer review and resubmissions at no extra cost.
👉 Real researcher stories on price vs. results »

Q: Can I pay by PO or wire transfer?
Yes — we accept purchase orders, wire transfers, and other institutional payment methods. We support NIH/grant billing as well.

Q: Can I get a quote even if I’m still planning my project?
Of course. We’re happy to provide budget guidance even if you’re months away from starting.

🚫 Other Clarifications

Q: Do you offer free trial analyses or unpaid pilot work?
No — we do not offer unpaid trial analyses. However, we're happy to schedule a free consultation before quoting.

Q: Do you support pipelines developed by other vendors?
We can review and advise, but we do not maintain or re-run third-party pipelines.

Q: Can you help with job applications or interviews?
Unfortunately, no. We are a service provider, not a training or recruiting agency.

Q: Can you provide scripts or software for in-house reuse?
Yes — many projects include custom code, with documentation when needed. However, we do not license proprietary code separately.

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