Probiotic bacteria characterization package

Probiotic bacteria characterization package

Bioneer has developed a probiotics characterisation package aimed at documenting important properties of a given strain and providing molecular markers for identification.


Functional assays

A key property of probiotics is likely to be modulation of the immune response. We offer to determine the immunomodulatory (immune stimulatory or anti-inflammatory) effects of a probiotic strain using our proprietary, predictive immune cell models: human Dendritic Cell Model, PBMC Model or murine Dendritic Cell Model depending on the context.


As anti-bacterial effects of probiotics are also believed to be an important means of action, Bioneer has developed a screening system to investigate the anti-microbial properties of components secreted from probiotic bacteria. The method involves determining survival and growth inhibition of pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. and others after exposure to conditioned medium from the probiotics.


Gastrointestinal stability and retention

Bioneer has the ability to test probiotic strains for their resistance to acid and bile salts.

Bioneer also offers to screen probiotic strains for their ability to adhere to the gut-epithelial cell layers and, hence, remain in the intestinal tract for a prolonged time. The assay is based upon an in vitro cell model involving Caco-2 cells.


Molecular identification markers

For quality assurance purposes, patenting etc., the identity of a probiotic strain may be crucial. A large number of molecular characterisation tools may provide specific molecular markers or set of markers that uniquely identify the strain in question. Such molecular markers may also be useful in product quality control and even process control.


Bioneer offers a large toolbox to generate molecular identification markers:

  • DNA-sequencing: e.g. 16S rDNA sequencing
  • PFGE: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis,
  • T-RFLP:Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism
  • AFLP: Amplified fragment length polymorphism
  • DGGE: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
  • Riboprinting
  • RAPD: Random amplified polymorphic DNA
  • Plasmid profiling

 

For further information, please contact Group Leader, Immune Targeting; Simon Skjøde Jensen by phone (+45 45160444) or email.