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Cultivating a healthy ecosystem with advanced microbial analysis
In our quest to maintain and improve environmental health, understanding the intricate interplay between soil and water quality is paramount. At the heart of these ecosystems lie microbes, the unseen champions of soil vitality and water safety. Our advanced microbial analysis techniques offer remarkable insights and solutions to help ensure healthy, productive soil and minimize risk from water contamination.
Advanced microbiology and viral detection in water
Water analysis is crucial for safeguarding community health and for compliance with regulatory standards. Contaminated water can lead to serious health risks, including the spread of waterborne diseases and exposure to harmful chemicals and heavy metals. Regular analysis helps detect these threats early, enabling timely intervention and treatment to help prevent adverse health effects. Our advanced molecular and flow cytometry products deliver exceptional accuracy and speed to help provide the necessary insights to protect public health.
- Microbial safety—identify and quantify specific DNA or RNA sequences to detect pathogens, microorganisms, and other genetic markers
- Recreational water quality—help ensure water is safe for recreational activities by detecting microbial indicators
- High sensitivity—achieve accurate detection even at low concentrations, enabling comprehensive safety assessments
- Efficiency—Attune flow cytometers can run very dilute samples quickly and allow for the reliable and quantitative distinction between live and dead microorganisms, while handling samples with improved clogging resistance
Microbes—the key to soil health
Microbes and their processes are vital to soil health. Globally, microbe-based metrics are essential indicators of soil vitality. By focusing on these metrics, we gain valuable insights into biological activity, nutrient cycling, and overall soil health.
Why microbial metrics matter:
- Complex ecosystem—soil operates as a dynamic system, sustained by microbial interactions
- Crucial functions—microbes are key to nutrient cycling, plant growth, and overall soil health
- Environmental impact—understanding soil microbiomes is essential for ecological balance and environmental health
- Dynamic interactions—investigate the ever-changing dynamics within soil microbial communities for better soil management
- Healthy and productive soil—our advanced soil microbiome analysis helps you measure and understand crucial microbial processes, helping ensure your soil remains healthy and productive. Discover the vital role of soil biodiversity in supporting and regulating soil processes for a thriving ecosystem.
Advanced solutions for water and soil microbial analysis
Thermo Fisher Scientific is dedicated to helping address the needs of our customers by designing innovative products for water and soil microbial analysis. We offer advanced techniques such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) for comprehensive microbial profiling, quantitative PCR (qPCR) for precise microbial quantification, flow cytometry for detailed microbial community analysis, and a range of robust assays for detecting and monitoring microbial contaminants. Our solutions enhance accuracy and efficiency, aligning with the critical concerns of our customers in environmental testing.
Next-generation sequencing for microbial profiling
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a technology for determining the sequence of DNA or RNA to study genetic variation associated with diseases or other biological phenomena. NGS, including 16S rRNA sequencing, is essential for profiling microbial communities in soil and water samples. This technology provides detailed insights into the diversity and abundance of microorganisms. Accurate sample preparation, especially high-quality DNA/RNA extraction, is crucial for reliable results.
Researchers and professionals use NGS to monitor environmental health, detect harmful pathogens, and assess the impact of pollutants in soil and water. In soil analysis, NGS helps understand nutrient cycles, soil fertility, and microbial interactions. For water analysis, it helps ensure the safety of municipal supplies and tracks changes in microbial communities. This comprehensive approach aids in making informed decisions to help protect public health and the environment.
Molecular microbiome end-to-end workflow
Figure 1. Simplified workflow of 16S rRNA gene sequencing of organisms in wastewater and soil samples. Includes sample collection, bead-based cell lysis, extraction, amplification, sequencing, and analysis.
Leverage our advanced molecular solutions, seamless automation, and comprehensive sample prep reagents for flexible NGS workflows, including environmental microbes analysis.
RT-qPCR for identifying and quantifying viral pathogens
Real-time PCR, also known as quantitative PCR (qPCR), is the gold-standard for sensitive, specific detection and quantification of nucleic acid targets. Our qPCR-based detection workflow for water and soil analysis offers high sensitivity and specificity in identifying and quantifying microbial and viral pathogens. Utilizing advanced SuperScript reagents, the process begins with meticulous sample preparation using the automated KingFisher instrument along with MagMax kits or manual column-based PureLink kits, helping ensure high-quality DNA/RNA extraction for accurate and reliable results.
For water analysis, qPCR enables precise monitoring of recreational waters and wastewater, aiding in the prevention of waterborne diseases and enhancing public health safety. For soil analysis, it enables detailed monitoring of soil microbial viability, which is crucial for understanding soil health, nutrient cycles, and ecosystem sustainability. Key advantages of qPCR include rapid turnaround times, high throughput, the ability to detect a wide range of organisms simultaneously, and reduced risk of false positives. This makes qPCR a robust tool for comprehensive water and soil quality assessment. This integrated approach helps maintain soil fertility and improve agricultural practices, while protecting public health. It also helps ensure environmental sustainability since healthy soils can capture and store carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration), prevent soil erosion and desertification, and promote nutrient cycling essential for plant growth.
Molecular viral detection workflow
Figure 2. Simplified workflow for detection and analysis of microbes from environmental samples using the KingFisher sample prep instrument and the QuantStudio Real-Time PCR system.
Utilize our advanced molecular tools, and sample prep solutions for efficient qPCR and environmental microbe analysis.
Flow cytometry workflow for water and soil bacterial analysis
Rapid single-cell analysis is crucial for assessing phenotypic diversity and understanding microbial dynamics in water and soil samples. Leveraging advanced techniques such as flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, Researchers can swiftly profile individual cells, capturing population heterogeneity and tracking environmental responses. This approach significantly enhances researchers’ ability to understand microbial functions and interactions in these environments, offering valuable insights for microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science.
Figure 3. Flow cytometry process. This diagram illustrates the steps involved in flow cytometry, including choosing markers and antibody conjugates, preparing microbial samples from water or soil, acquiring data on a flow cytometer, and performing analyses with appropriate biological controls and viability stains.
Use our innovative flow cytometers, vitality kits, and solutions for accurate bacterial analysis of environmental samples.
Additional analyses to consider
QuantiGene Plex assays offer a rapid, high-throughput solution for multiplexed gene expression quantification, enabling the simultaneous measurement of up to 80 genes in a single well of a 96- or 384-well plate. Utilizing hybridization-based branched DNA (bDNA) technology, these assays amplify signals instead of targets for direct RNA transcript measurement. With a straightforward ELISA-like workflow that eliminates the need for RNA purification, QuantiGene Plex assays are exceptionally user-friendly and efficient.
Optimize your research with our advanced Quantigen and Luminex assay selection, ensuring precise and efficient definition of a QuantiGene Plex Assay panel.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.