B. thetaiotaomicron strains are recovered from fecal or biobank samples under strict anaerobic workflows. We employ selective Bacteroides bile esculin agar (BBE) and targeted enrichment strategies to isolate viable colonies. Screening evaluates growth rates, oxygen tolerance, and carbohydrate utilization, ensuring only robust strains are prioritized for downstream applications, from functional characterization to potential co-culture models.
Precise identification integrates MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA profiling, and whole-genome sequencing. This pipeline provides accurate species confirmation and reveals polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs), capsular gene clusters, and metabolic pathways such as propionate biosynthesis. Clients receive annotated genomic reports with detailed functional inventories, supporting hypothesis-driven microbiome studies and comparative analyses against reference strains or engineered variants.
B. thetaiotaomicron metabolizes diverse glycans, producing signature sSCFAs like acetate and propionate. We test defined substrates, including dietary fibers and mucin glycans, under controlled pH and oxygen-limited conditions. SCFA quantification and organic acid profiling generate detailed metabolic fingerprints that inform substrate prioritization, dietary intervention research, and host-microbe functional modeling in complex ecological settings.
We establish co-culture systems of B. thetaiotaomicron with intestinal epithelial monolayers or organoid models to assess barrier integrity, tight junction regulation, and mucus dynamics. By introducing outer-membrane vesicle (OMV) fractions, we distinguish direct contact effects from secreted metabolites. These assays generate mechanistic insights into host signaling modulation, nutrient competition, and barrier-supportive roles of this commensal anaerobe.
Using human PBMCs and dendritic cell models, we evaluate cytokine polarization and receptor-driven immune activation in response to B. thetaiotaomicron cells or culture supernatants. SCFA-normalized fractions allow us to link metabolic byproducts to immune outcomes. Readouts include IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α profiling, offering integrated datasets that reveal how this species influences immune balance and communication.
Formulation scientists optimize excipients, cryoprotectants, and lyophilization protocols tailored for oxygen-sensitive B. thetaiotaomicron. Tests assess colony-forming unit (CFU) retention, membrane integrity via flow cytometry, and recovery efficiency upon rehydration. The result is stable, viable microbial material with functional preservation, enabling reproducibility across long-term projects and supporting consistent performance in downstream in vitro and ex vivo experiments.
We conduct accelerated and real-time stability assays to assess viability, genomic fidelity, and metabolic function of B. thetaiotaomicron. Studies track CFU counts, fermentation activity, and resistance to variable storage conditions such as temperature and humidity. Oxygen ingress monitoring and re-challenge fermentations verify that preserved strains maintain phenotypic stability and functional performance across diverse research-relevant timelines.
Anaerobic fermentation systems (0.5–10 L) provide consistent biomass and metabolite yields of B. thetaiotaomicron. Controlled parameters include pH, osmolality, carbon flux, and redox balance. Bioprocess deliverables include batch records, growth curves, and SCFA profiles. This ensures high reproducibility, supports downstream mechanistic assays, and provides sufficient material for formulation studies or comparative co-culture experimentation.
