“The aim is to understand the diversity and role of microbial communities in different habitats”
The TECNALIA Genetics laboratory carries out microbial population characterisation studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and advanced bioinformatics tools
The aim of these studies is to understand the diversity and function of microbial communities in various habitats, including the human body, agricultural soils, food and aquatic samples.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) represents a qualitative leap in genetic analysis, as it makes it possible to analyse millions of DNA fragments simultaneously, providing a comprehensive view of the composition and functions of complex microbial communities.
- TECNALIA's Genetics Laboratory applies this technology to decipher microbial diversity in a wide variety of environments such as the human body, food, and environmental samples (soil, water, etc.).
- Thanks to NGS technology and advanced bioinformatics analysis, we can identify species that are difficult to grow, quantify their relative abundance and detect key functional genes, thereby opening the door to strategic applications for health, food security and environmental sustainability.
Cutting-edge research
TECNALIA uses metagenomic analysis methodologies to analyse all of the genomes in a sample without the need for cultures. These technologies enable us to identify microbial species, establish phylogenetic relationships, and study the role of every microorganism in key biological processes.
Areas of application
- Health: analyses of gut, oral and vaginal microbiota in order to understand their impact on wellbeing and diseases.
- Food: characterisation of microbiota in food products, in order to improve safety and optimise fermentation processes.
- Environment: assessment of agricultural soils and ecosystems, contributing to more sustainable agriculture.
- Pharma and genetics: support for biomedical research and development of innovative therapies based on microbiota.
Advantages
TECNALIA's research opens the door to new health, food and sustainability solutions by identifying biomarkers, improving food quality and designing strategies to preserve microbial biodiversity in the environment.