Collaborations in this field have allowed NEXT Genomics customers - companies, research institutions both public and private, and professionals - to generate innovation and to use these results for the determination of competitive advantages: innovative technologies, unconventional methods of analysis, patenting procedures, products and advanced services.
Molecular biology
Molecular biology studies and interprets (at the molecular level) biological phenomena, considering the structure, properties and reactions among the living organisms’ molecules. The development of this discipline was determined by the introduction of molecular genetic techniques (e.g. recombinant DNA), which provided the tools suitable for the purification, identification, sequencing and manipulation of genetic and protein material.
Tools, technologies and skills
- Extraction and purification of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
- Gel electrophoresis and hybridization (Southern blot)
- PCR end point and real-time
- Genomic and plasmid libraries
- DNA sequencing (Sanger and NGS)
- Diagnostic probes
- Cloning and site-directed mutagenesis
- SNPs
- Vertical and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis
Expertise
NEXT Genomics provides its customers with in-depth knowledge of:
- structural genomics (sequencing and analysis of genomes);
- functional genomics (transcriptomics, proteomics, methylation studies, etc.);
- molecular and biochemical diagnostics (DNA, RNA, proteins, hormones, drugs, etc.).
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is a scientific discipline dedicated to the resolution of biological problems through IT methods. It is an attempt to describe these phenomena from a numerical and statistical point of view. In addition to information technology, applied mathematics, statistics, chemistry and biochemistry converge within this discipline as well.
Tools, technologies and skills
- Metabarcoding
- RNAseq e miRNAseq
- Denovo sequencing (NGS)
- Resequencing (o EZRAD o GBS)
- Methylation array
Quali-quantitative analysis of microorganisms (microbiota) and statistical analysis among different sample groups.
Understanding which genes or miRNAs are expressed in different conditions. Identification of the main pathways related to differential expression.
"denovo" sequencing and assembly of an organism's genome and possible in-depth analysis (e.g. pathogenicity factors, resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals, etc.
Resequencing the DNA of specific organisms (animals, plants or bacteria) in order to find the genotypic differences (SNPs or repeated portions, SSR) that may be related to specific phenotypic attributes.
Highlight the presence of differential methilations between groups of samples.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the scientific discipline that deals with the study of the composition of matter and its behavior. Fundamental aspects of this discipline are the characterization and quantification of organic and inorganic analytes, as well as the study of the chemical-physical properties that characterize a material during the transformation phases. In the biological field, chemistry can be useful for studying molecular interaction: protein-protein, drug-protein, antigen-antibody.
Tools, technologies and skills
NEXT Genomics has developed specific skills over the years in the following areas:
- Chromatographic techniques
Separate and analyze in a qualitative-quantitative way the components of a homogeneous mixture in order to characterize compounds or quantify the presence of certain molecules or analytes.
- Gas Chromatography
- HPLC
- FPLC
- Ion-exchange chromatography
- Spectrometric techniques
Identify and quantify substances in a sample (even minimal concentrations, traces).
- Mass Spectrometry (MS)
- Flight Time Analyzer (TOF)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- Electrochemical or chemical-physical techniques
To detect the nature, the concentration, as well as the interaction of molecules in solution.
- Electrophoresis
- Conductimetry
- Solid supported membrane (SSM)
- Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
- Electrophysiology for the study of membrane proteins and ion channels (Patch clamp, BLMs, tBLMs)
- Regulatory aspect in the environmental field
- Evaluation of the concentration of substances analyzed in relation to the maximum thresholds set by the legislation on environmental protection.
- Classification support for waste disposal.
- Certifications and accreditations
- Development of analytical methods and parallel studies of validation processes.
- Determination of quantification limits, uncertainty of analysis, precision and accuracy according to the reference standards of the studied method.
- Monitoring of production cycles
- Study of particular analytes (markers) for the control of production processes.
- Monitoring of the experimental innovations introduced to the production cycle.
Plant Pathology and entomology
Plant pathology and entomology are responsible for studying diseases and alterations of plants (both agricultural and forest), the related biotic agents (e.g. insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses) and abiotic, as well as all possible fight strategies in order to control the development of symptoms.
Tools and technologies and skills
NEXT Genomics has gained extensive knowledge in the field of
- pathogenic plant-fungi and symbionts interaction;
- epidemiology of alien pathogens (from a different habitat);
- protection of crops against attacks by insects, fungi and phytopathogenic bacteria;
- traditional and biomolecular diagnostics;
- phytopathological and entomological biotechnologies;
- bee-keeping and characterization of honey;
- environmental monitoring through insects, micro-organisms and symbiotic fungi;
- environmental bioremediation techniques;
- biological and integrated fight against phytopathogenic agents;
- biosensoristics applied to the protection of plants and foodstuffs;
- study of animal and microbial diversity in maintaining the equilibrium of ecosystems;
- study of active metabolites produced by microorganisms.