Microbiota

Microbiota consists of all microorganisms (bacteria, micro-fungi, protists, viruses) living in a specific environment in a host (animal: zoobiota; plant: phytobiota; air: aerobiota) or matter (animal or vegetal). The set of genes in a microbiota is called a microbiome. An individual and his microbiota is called a holobionte.

For example, in humans, microbiota are intestinal, cutaneous, vaginal, placental and pre-natal. In plants, microbiota are foliar, root, cauline.

Microbiota are recognized as an essential part of the working of living beings. In humans, their role and their integration into the functioning of our organs including the brain, in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer, cancer treatments is now proven.

We offer a wide range of analysis to characterize microbiota with metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic, meta-metabolomic and bioinformatic approaches.

We are very involved in the study of the microbiota phenomenon, including analyzes of the human microbiome.

We propose different approaches, according to different levels of information, flexible according to the study. Metagenomic methods only reach genes that are quantified or generate complex taxonomic profiles. The metaproteomic allows to reach the operational functions and gives a deep view of the effects and mechanisms of action.

The analyzable samples can be swabs, feces, biopsies

We offer three types of study services in substantiation, on host side, microbiome side and host+microbiome side simultaneously

• Follow-up by quantitative PCRs of major species or genus, for example Staphylococcus sp. (Firmicutes), Corynebacterium sp. (Actinobacteria), Propionibacterium sp. (Actinobacteria) . Other targets are possible depending on wished effects from product positioning, also at species level.
  Gives answer such as «  the product has/does not have an effect on tested genus » .
  Time to delivery : 2 weeks for 5 genus or species, 5 samples compared to 5 controls (10 tests) preocessed together
• Metagenomics comparative study of microbiome by NGSequencing 16S rDNA.
  Gives answer in a report as : « The product/treatment does or does not impact the semi-quantitative composition and microbiome diversity».
  Time to delivery  : Around 2 months for 5 samples compared to 5 controls (processed together)
• Metaproteomics comparative study  of microbiome by relative quantification LC-MS/MS « shotgun proteomics » and bioinformatics/biostatistics dedicated data processing and analysis for microbiome :HolXplore^TM
  Gives answer in a report as : “ Effects of the product on functions and interactions of host and microbiome simultaneously ”
  Time to delivery : Around 8 weeks for 5 samples compared to 5 controls (processed together) by LC-MS/MS, 5 weeks for HolXplore^TM

Metagenomics and metaproteomics studies may be coupled in order to get a better database targeting