Lab & Field Services
MRC is committed to providing our customers with the industry’s premier and most rapid laboratory and scientific consultation services.
Scientific Consulting Services
Whether you are heading into unfamiliar territory or you are in need of confidential peer review and advice, MRC can provide the scientific consultation and up-to-date information you need. Some of our areas of specialization include the following:
- Probiotic microorganisms
- Direct-fed microbials
- Animal experimentation
- Foodborne pathogens
- Outbreak crisis management
- Statistically-relevant sampling
- Anonymous strain submission
- ATCC strain submission
MRC also delivers customized services for our clients, such as assistance with obtaining equity funding, attracting commercial partners, sourcing technologies, and temporary services. Please contact us for more information or to schedule a personal consultation.
Probiotic Product Development
MRC has extensive expertise in the human and agriculture probiotic realms and can assist in selecting superior microbial strains for probiotic applications. Our scientists can provide thorough investigation of probiotic strains’ metabolic profiling, antibiotic susceptibility/resistance and viability assays. The MRC staff can optimize bacterial preservation strategies to achieve maximum viability and shelf-life of probiotic products.
Probiotic Microorganism Viability Assays
It is absolutely essential that probiotic microbes retain their viability to assert a beneficial effect upon the animal. MRC routinely performs “in-the-field” assays to accurately monitor microbial viability at all points in the delivery system. The patented technology used by MRC offers superior microbial viability monitoring.
Animal and Field Trials
MRC can also perform animal field trials on microbial-based products. MRC’s certified scientists strictly adhere to IACUC and ALAC standards and practices. Animal trials can be performed in laboratory settings or in applicable field settings. MRC staff have extensive experience and can perform trials in diverse animal systems including: cattle, swine, poultry, aquaculture, snd rodent.
Microbial Product Quality Analysis
MRC can perform regular quality controls on microbial products. Our thorough microbial analyses can ensure that product viability and purity specifications are met. MRC is prepared to offer product development advice and recommendations to further improve upon product specifications and performance.
Fermentation Process Optimization and/or Design
MRC has the capability of cultivating aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and uses factorial design in performing fermentation optimization in advanced computer-controlled bioreactors. Careful statistical design is used in every process development project to achieve a rational and efficient approach. Whenever possible, defined, animal component-free growth media are employed.
Specialized Media Development and Optimization
MRC scientists can develop optimized media formulations specifically suited to your microbial cell lines and expression systems. We can also formulate nutrient supplements to your specifications for customized bioreactor fermentation strategies.
Laboratory Services
MRC can provide individuals, local/national companies as well as governmental agencies with a broad range of laboratory services. Working with us, you are tapping into the commercial acumen and technical expertise of our Ph.D. scientists. In our team, we combine significant R&D experience with advanced scientific and business qualifications.
Our biotechnological services can help you protect your intellectual property and assist you in the development of new technologies.
Microbial Identification and Characterization
MRC is capable of rapidly and accurately identifying microbial taxa using classical and state of the art techniques. Our laboratory scientists will perform exhaustive biochemical tests, in addition to specific molecular examinations, to describe organisms of interest and provide taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses. MRC utilizes numerous analytical techniques including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, ribotyping, fatty-acid profiling, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
MRC also provides microscopic imaging services with the use of bright-field, phase-contrast, confocal laser, SEM, and TEM microscopy.
We are able to determine the metabolic profile of select strains and also evaluate antibiotic susceptibility/resistance characteristic properties. Our qualified scientists can properly preserve microbial strains for short or long term storage and can also submit your strains to the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)
DNA Cloning
Our DNA cloning services provide the means to turn DNA sequences containing open reading frames (ORFs) into expression-ready clones. Open reading frames from full-length genes are amplified and cloned into an appropriate expression vector.
Other Service Requests
If your specific needs are not included in our standard testing services, please contact us so we can discuss how we can help address your needs. Our staff will evaluate all inquiries and promptly provide an estimate.
