Cultures and Strains

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revolutionizes our understanding of microbial cultures. By analyzing the complete genetic blueprint of a microorganism, we gain unparalleled insights into its taxonomy, traits, and functional potential.

At Biomcare, we use WGS to unlock the full potential of microbes for agricultural innovation, offering detailed and actionable information on isolated strains.

• Characterizing Beneficial Strains:
  Identify and validate microbes that promote plant growth, protect crops from pathogens, or enhance soil fertility. For example, nitrogen-fixing bacteria can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, while biocontrol agents can suppress harmful fungi.
• Ensuring Strain Purity:
  Confirm the identity and purity of microbial strains used in agricultural formulations to prevent contamination or performance variability.
• Developing Probiotics:
  Analyze probiotics intended for livestock or plants to assess their safety, effectiveness, and potential for improving health or productivity.
• Bioremediation Applications:
  Study microbes capable of breaking down pollutants or improving soil conditions, ensuring they have the necessary genes for targeted applications.
• Understanding Pathogenicity:
  Investigate plant pathogens to identify virulence factors, resistance genes, and potential vulnerabilities for control strategies.

Whole genome sequencing offers a depth of information far beyond traditional methods like microscopy or basic culturing techniques:

1. Taxonomic Precision: WGS can differentiate between closely related strains, accurately identifying species and subspecies levels that may be indistinguishable by morphology.
2. Functional Insights: Sequencing reveals genes associated with specific traits, such as:
   • Enzyme production (e.g., cellulases or nitrification enzymes)
   • Antimicrobial activity
   • Stress tolerance (e.g., drought or salinity resistance)
   • Nutrient cycling capabilities (e.g., nitrogen fixation)
3. Antibiotic Resistance Profiling:
   Detect genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, ensuring safety when using microbial strains in agricultural environments.
4. Genomic Comparisons:
   Compare genetic content across different strains to identify unique features or adaptive traits relevant to specific agricultural applications.
5. Ecosystem Compatibility:
   Assess the compatibility of microbial strains with existing ecosystems by analyzing their metabolic pathways and potential interactions

• Microscopy:
  While microscopy provides a physical view of microorganisms, it cannot reveal genetic variations or functional traits critical to agricultural applications.
• Culturing Alone:
  Culturing techniques are limited to a fraction of microbes that grow under lab conditions, missing many important details about taxonomy and function.
• Biochemical Testing:
  Traditional assays give limited functional insights, while WGS provides a comprehensive picture, including potential metabolic pathways and adaptation mechanisms.

Whole genome sequencing bridges these gaps, offering a holistic and high-resolution understanding of microbial cultures.

Unlock the potential of microbial strains with Biomcare’s cutting-edge genomic solutions. Let us help you harness the power of microbes for a healthier, more sustainable future.

We can screen a strain for a range of different functional properties of relevance to agriculture. Below is a list of some of these functional categories and more detailed examples for two key functions namely “Nitrogen Fixation” and “Micronutrient Mobilization”

Functional categories

1. Nitrogen Fixation
2. Nitrogen Release
3. Phosphorus and Potassium Solubilization
4. Hormone Production
5. Antibiotic Production
6. Micronutrient Mobilization
7. Stress Adaptation
8. Organic Matter Degradation
9. Carbon Cycling
10. Sulfur Cycling
11. Quorum Sensing
12. Virulence Factors
13. Detoxification and Bioremediation