Recover B. bifidum from complex samples (stool, fermented matrices, materials under development) using selective anaerobic workflows. We screen colonies by morphology, carbohydrate use, and preliminary stress tolerance, then down-select strains with desirable growth kinetics and glycan activities for deeper characterization—accelerating movement from wild isolate to lab-ready candidate.
Confirm species and strain identity with a tiered pipeline: MALDI-TOF or 16S rRNA gene for rapid ID, followed by whole-genome sequencing for definitive taxonomy, virulence factor absence, and glycosyl-hydrolase repertoire profiling related to mucin/HMO use. Deliverables include annotated genomes and phylogeny reports suitable for partner review and internal QA.
Develop strain-specific batch or fed-batch processes under strict anaerobiosis. We optimize carbon sources (e.g., lactose, LNB/GNB mimetics), pH control, and redox to maximize viable counts and preserve surface structures (pili, EPS) important for downstream assays. Scale spans shake-flask feasibility to multi-liter single-use bioreactors, with in-process CFU/OD and metabolite tracking.
Profile glycan foraging (HMO, mucin proxies), enzyme activities (sialidase, fucosidase, endo-α-GalNAcase), and SCFA output via targeted metabolomics. We integrate cross-feeding assays with co-cultures to quantify metabolite exchange and niche complementarity—core to Bifidobacterium ecology and reproducibility in vivo-relevant models.
Interrogate adhesion, barrier impact, and immune readouts using intestinal epithelial lines (e.g., Caco-2/HT-29-MTX co-cultures), mucus-rich systems, and ECM binding panels. For B. bifidum, we pay special attention to sortase-dependent pili and extracellular enzymes that influence mucus engagement and epithelial adherence. Assays quantify TEER, cytokines, and gene expression.
Translate lab performance into shelf-stable formats. We screen cryo-/lyo-protectants, carriers, and water activity windows; evaluate oxygen scavengers and packaging; and run accelerated/longitudinal stability with CFU retention, enzyme activity, and rehydration kinetics. Reports include recommended excipient systems and handling SOPs tailored to B. bifidum's anaerobic sensitivity.
Enhance research strains using adaptive laboratory evolution or genome-guided edits (where applicable in your jurisdiction/lab setting). Targets include stress tolerance, glycan-use flux, and surface structures (pili/EPS) linked to adhesion. We combine genotype–phenotype mapping with multi-omics to ensure modifications preserve core safety and identity profiles.
For engineered constructs, we verify integration sites, copy number, and structural integrity by WGS; monitor SNP/INDEL drift under serial passaging; and quantify cargo expression across fermentation and storage. Stability is summarized via acceptance criteria and trend charts, enabling confident progression to larger-scale R&D.
