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Advances in Microbiome Research: SelectScience Special Feature

SelectScience

From NGS-based methods to the world’s largest crowd-sourced microbiome project, find out the latest techniques and technologies advancing the microbiome field

3 Mar 2020
Carrie Haslam
Associate Editor

Editorial article

Precision Medicine SelectScience Special Feature

The microbiome has received increasing attention over the past decade, from scientists exploring the gut microbiome to understanding how our microorganisms can influence physiological and psychological health. From NGS-based methods to why we are what our microbes eat, find out the latest developments, resources, and technologies revolutionizing the microbiome field.

CIC bioGUNE scientists - precision medicine special feature

eBook: Genetic testing basics for health science professionals

Find out the latest approaches for effective microbiome analysis and discover how NGS-based methods can help you overcome challenges associated with conventional microbiome analysis, in this eBook from Tecan. Download now>>

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CIC bioGUNE scientists - precision medicine special feature

Article: What’s behind the world’s largest crowd-sourced microbiome project?

Take a sneak-peek into what goes on inside one of the busiest microbiome labs in the world. We uncover the technologies enabling this high-throughput research, and finally, what happens to all the data collected from participating citizens. Read now>>

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CIC bioGUNE scientists - precision medicine special feature

Article: The Diet Bacteria: Why we are what our microbes eat

Pioneering microbiome scientist Prof. Patrice Cani reveals how his work has unearthed some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in the world of gut microbes, and how they influence human physiology. Read now>>

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CIC bioGUNE scientists - precision medicine special feature

Video: High-Throughput Microbiome Characterization

In this video, watch Mike Humphrys, project manager at the University of Maryland's Microbiome Service Laboratory, describe a novel automated workflow for 16S rRNA sequencing using the mosquito HV genomics liquid handling platform from SPT Labtech. Watch video>>

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Downloadable resources

Video interviews with leading scientists

  • Discover the link between the microbiome and disease: Dr. Sofia Forslund at ECRC discusses the surprising relationship between the human microbiome and cardiovascular disease, which could soon help lead to personalized therapeutics. Watch now>>
  • Manipulating Gut Microbiota to Alleviate the Effects of Stress-Related Disorders: In this video, Dr Gerard Clarke of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science at University College Cork, describes how gut bacteria can affect brain and behavior. Dr Clarke discusses how a novel probiotic has shown beneficial effects in alleviating stress and anxiety in pre-clinical testing and his aim to translate this research into a clinical setting. Watch now>>
  • Rapid diagnostic systems for bacterial infections: Prof. Pak Kin Wong, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Surgery at the Pennsylvania State University, discusses his research into the development of comprehensive microbiology analysis systems designed to rapidly determine the presence of bacteria within samples. Watch video>>
  • Mass Spectroscopy helps scientists elucidate bacterial microbiomes: John McLean, of Vanderbilt University, describes the new 'Fight-Club' mass spectrometry technique, which will help elucidate new drug molecules. This technique has been designed to utilize the evolutionary pressure placed on cave-dwelling bacteria causing them to have developed chemicals to fight off predatory bacteria, which scientists hope could be used as drug targets. Watch now>>

References
McDonald D, Vázquez-Baeza Y, Koslicki D, McClelland J, Reeve N, Xu Z, Gonzalez A, Knight R. Striped UniFrac: enabling microbiome analysis at unprecedented scale. Nat Methods. 2018 Nov;15(11):847-848.

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Next Generation SequencingNext-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as whole-genome sequencing, high-throughput sequencing and massive parallel sequencing, produces and analyses thousands to millions of nucleotide sequences at once. Sequencing systems operate via varying technologies depending on the manufacturer, including sequencing by synthesis, ligation, pyrosequencing, ion semiconductor and single-molecule real-time sequencing. For NGS, library preparation is paramount to successful sequencing. In this section, explore a range of library preparation kits, from targeted, amplicon-based or hybridization-based kits including epigenomic, transcriptomic and genomic workflows to fragmentation kits. Find the best next-generation sequencing products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Light MicroscopyLight microscopes or optical microscopes are used to visualize microscale objects under magnification, including cells, clinical specimens and materials. Lab equipment for light microscopy includes confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, zoom and stereo microscopes. Microscope slides and imaging reagents are available for visualizing samples, as well as various microscope stages and incubators for large or temperature-sensitive samples. Find the best light microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.FermentationMicroscopyMicroscopy is a technique used to observe small objects in detail, from cells to materials, using light or electron microscopes. It enables researchers to examine structures with high resolution, aiding in fields such as biology, medicine, and materials science. With advanced microscopy techniques, scientists can gain insights into cellular processes, tissue structures, and material properties. Explore the best microscopy solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory, compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.MicrobiomeMicrobiome research focuses on the complex communities of microorganisms living in and on humans, animals, plants, and environments. It plays a crucial role in health, disease, and ecological balance. Explore tools and resources for microbiome analysis, including sequencing platforms and bioinformatics software.MicrobiologyDigestion

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