Molecular biology

Bacterial Culturing (Aerobic/Anaerobic)

Growth of bacteria under oxygen-rich (aerobic) or oxygen-free (anaerobic) conditions to study physiology and diversity.

Biochemical Identification of Microbes

Characterization of microorganisms using biochemical tests (e.g., catalase, oxidase, sugar fermentation) to identify species.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Assays

Testing compounds, extracts, or drugs for activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Determination of MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration)

• MIC: The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that inhibits visible growth.

• MBC: The lowest concentration that kills bacteria completely.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

• Disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer method): Assesses inhibition zones around antibiotic discs.

• E-test: Uses strips with a gradient of antibiotic concentration for precise MIC determination.

Pathogen Screening in Clinical/Environmental Samples

Detection and identification of harmful microorganisms in samples such as blood, soil, or water.

Probiotic Strain Characterization

Evaluation of beneficial microbes for safety, survivability, and health-promoting properties.

Biofilm Formation and Inhibition Testing

Studies how microbes form biofilms (protective layers) and tests agents that can disrupt or prevent biofilms.

Microbial Load and Sterility Testing

Quantification of viable microorganisms in samples and verification of sterility in pharmaceutical or food products.

Endotoxin Detection (LAL Test)

Uses the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay to detect bacterial endotoxins, critical for biomedical and pharmaceutical testing.

Mycotoxin Detection (e.g., Aflatoxins)

Screening and quantification of toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi in food and feed.

Water and Food Microbiology Testing

Microbial quality testing of drinking water, packaged foods, and raw food products for safety standards.

Soil Microbial Diversity Analysis

Assessment of microbial communities in soil for ecological and agricultural studies.

Microbial Enzyme Production (e.g., Amylase, Protease)

Screening and optimization of microbes that produce industrially important enzymes.

Bioremediation Potential Testing

Testing microbes for their ability to degrade pollutants, heavy metals, or hydrocarbons in the environment.

Anaerobic Microbial Isolation

Culturing and studying bacteria that can only survive without oxygen, often requiring special growth chambers.

Spore-Forming Bacterial Studies

Identification and characterization of spore-forming bacteria (e.g., Bacillus, Clostridium) which have industrial and clinical significance.

Antimicrobial Peptide Testing

Evaluating natural or synthetic peptides for antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral activity.

Resistance Gene Detection

Molecular screening (PCR, sequencing) of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in microbes.

 

Air Sampling and Environmental Testing

Collection and analysis of airborne microbes or environmental samples to monitor contamination and biodiversity.