Limits of Molecular and Traditional Microbiological Analysis Methods
The development and production of microbiome-based drugs requires a deep microbiological understanding of the relationships and interactions between the selected microorganisms and the host microbiome ecosystem.
However, there are certain obstacles and limitations to conventional microbiological methods that researchers must overcome to gain the necessary insights.
The Limits of Bacterial Cultivation
Up to 99% of the bacteria present in the human body cannot be cultured and cannot be detected using this analytical technique. In addition, anaerobic conditions must be reconstructed to understand microbial activities and to obtain enrichments and pure cultures, making the detection and analysis of strictly anaerobic microorganisms extremely challenging.
The Benefits of Molecular Biology
Modern methods such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) can analyze and thus determine the species of the microbiome in a very short time. However, there are several problems: Inhibitor components present in the sample can impair the sensitivity of the assay or even lead to false results. The formation of chimeras can lead to incorrect sequences. In addition, sequence analysis cannot provide information about cell viability and cell-cell interactions.
No Direct Insight Into the Microbial Ecosystem
Although NGS can provide a good overview and millions of sequences in a short time, it is not a general-purpose weapon. It cannot track specific microorganisms or analyze host-microbiome interactions. It allows an overview, but not a direct view into the sample. This makes it very difficult to correctly assess microbial conditions, as crucial information may be missing.
We Close the Gap Between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Knowledge About the Microbiome
vermicon supports pharmaceutical companies, CDMOs and developers of probiotic bacteria with a customizable portfolio of alternative microbiological methods. We have standardized FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and additionally optimized it for the needs of industrial microbiology. The result is our patented VIT® technology, which makes it possible to identify and visualize bacteria directly in their habitat and thus uncover mechanisms and correlations that cannot be determined with pure sequence data or conventional cultivation methods. This enables us to provide meaningful answers quickly and efficiently.
FISH Technology
With the help of FISH technology (fluorescence in situ hybridization), bacteria can be analysed directly in their habitat. As pioneers of this technology, we have decades of experience in adapting this method to the specific problems of the industry and applying it successfully.
Flow Cytometry
The quality assurance of probiotics in the form of live/dead analyses is ensured by the use of flow cytometry, a powerful method. In combination with highly specific FISH gene probes, the specific identification and quantification of probiotic bacteria is also possible.
Other Methods
We can offer our customers the entire spectrum of alternative detection methods. The focus is always on the objective to be achieved. Even if the methods currently on offer are not suitable, we are able to close the gap by developing customer-specific solutions.
Use of FISH to Analyze the Microbiome
The human microbiome is a highly complex ecosystem consisting of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa and viruses. This small universe of microorganisms is the subject of intense interest and research in the scientific communities. With the help of FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), bacteria can be analysed directly in their habitat.
Dr. Jiri Snaidr, CEO and founder of vermicon AG, explains how FISH works and what advantages it can offer, especially for scientists and companies involved in microbiome research.
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