In today's fast-paced world of microbiology, speed and accuracy are paramount. Traditional microbial identification methods like biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, delaying critical research, quality control, and clinical decisions. Creative Biolabs' High-Throughput Microbial Identification service, powered by state-of-the-art Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), offers a revolutionary solution. We provide rapid, reliable, and cost-effective identification of a wide range of microorganisms, empowering you to accelerate your research and streamline your workflows.
The Power of MALDI-TOF MS: An Overview
Welcome to our state-of-the-art microbial identification service, leveraging the revolutionary capabilities of MALDI-TOF MS. Our high-throughput platform delivers rapid, accurate, and cost-effective identification of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, empowering researchers and industries to make critical decisions with unprecedented speed and confidence. MALDI-TOF MS is an advanced analytical technique that revolutionized microbial identification. Instead of relying on traditional phenotypic or genotypic methods, MALDI-TOF MS identifies microorganisms by analyzing their unique protein "fingerprint." The process is based on the analysis of highly abundant, conserved proteins, primarily ribosomal proteins, which are a characteristic signature for each microbial species. Whether you are a pharmaceutical company monitoring cleanroom environments, a food producer investigating spoilage, or a research institution studying microbial ecology, our service is designed to meet your specific needs with efficiency and reliability. Contact us today to learn more and discuss how we can accelerate your microbial analysis projects.
CRO Services for MALDI-TOF MS Microbial Identification
Workflow
Service Details
Sample Information and Requirements
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Sample Types
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Bacteria: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including aerobic, anaerobic, and fastidious strains.
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Fungi: Yeasts and molds.
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Mycobacteria and Nocardia: Specialized protocols are available for these challenging organisms.
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Biofilms: Identification of organisms within a biofilm matrix.
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Environmental Isolates: Characterization of microorganisms from various environmental sources.
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Purity: Samples must be a pure isolate from a single colony. Mixed cultures will result in an invalid or ambiguous identification.
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Growth Conditions: Provide information on the media and growth conditions used to culture the organism. This helps our team optimize the analysis.
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Shipping: Ship samples in a secure, sealed container to prevent contamination or damage. Use overnight or express shipping to ensure sample viability. We provide specific shipping instructions upon project initiation.
Deliverables
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A detailed report in PDF format, including the identified organism(s), species, and genus-level confidence scores, and any relevant remarks.
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Raw data files (optional, but recommended) for your records.
Turnaround Time
Our standard TAT is 1-2 weeks from the time we receive the samples.
Ready to Accelerate Your Microbial Identification? Click here to request a quote and consultation!
Why Choose Us?
Expertise
Our team of microbiologists and mass spectrometry specialists has extensive experience in microbial identification and data interpretation.
State-of-the-Art Technology
We use the latest generation of MALDI-TOF MS instruments and validated databases to deliver superior results.
Custom Solutions
We understand that every project is unique. We work with you to tailor our services to your specific requirements and provide a personalized experience.
Confidentiality
Your data and samples are handled with the utmost confidentiality and security.
Applications
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Environmental Monitoring (EM) Programs: Rapidly identify microbial isolates from cleanrooms, water systems, and HVAC units to maintain compliance and prevent contamination.
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Pathogen Detection: Quickly identify foodborne pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli).
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Fermentation Process Control: Monitor and identify starter cultures or contaminants in industrial fermentation for consistent product quality.
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Contamination Investigation: Trace the source of contamination by providing rapid and accurate identification of unknown organisms. Analysis of microbial contaminants in pharmaceutical products, food and beverage manufacturing, and water systems.
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Taxonomic Research: Aid in the characterization of new or unknown microbial species.
Ready to Accelerate Your Microbial Identification? Contact us today to request a quote or to discuss your specific project needs. Our team is ready to provide you with a fast, reliable, and cost-effective solution. Don't let microbial identification slow you down-partner with us for your success.
Your Partner in Microbial Identification Excellence. Click to Inquire Now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you identify microorganisms directly from a mixed sample?
No. MALDI-TOF MS requires a pure, isolated colony. If your sample contains a mixed culture, you will need to perform an isolation step (e.g., streaking for single colonies) before submission.
What if the organism is not in your database?
While our databases are comprehensive, a novel or rare organism may not be included. In this case, the system will return a low-confidence score or no identification. We can then offer a secondary identification service using genetic methods like 16S rRNA sequencing to provide a definitive answer and, with client permission, potentially add the new spectrum to our database.
Can MALDI-TOF MS distinguish between closely related species?
For the vast majority of species, yes. However, some very closely related species (e.g., Shigella spp. and E. coli) may have highly similar protein profiles, which can make differentiation challenging. In such cases, molecular methods may be required for definitive identification.
Is your service GMP/ISO compliant?
Our laboratories operate under strict quality management systems. We use validated protocols and instrumentation and can provide documentation to support regulatory submissions.
What is the difference between MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial identification?
MALDI-TOF MS is a proteomic method that identifies microorganisms based on their protein fingerprint. It's extremely fast and cost-effective for high-throughput identification of known organisms. 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a genomic method that identifies microorganisms by analyzing their DNA sequence. It is often considered the gold standard for novel species discovery or for identifying closely related species that cannot be differentiated by MALDI-TOF MS.
