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HTMLText_005700A7_2F01_961C_41B2_D65349FB0655.html = Microbiology lab
What does it happen in the microbiology lab?
In the microbiology lab we work with bacteria and parasites isolated from various animal species. Our aim is to investigate how our products can interfere with harmful microorganisms, decreasing their pathogenicity. We study whether a substance can have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity, meaning the property to inhibit or kill bacteria. Moreover, we can also study factors involved in virulence expression and the interplay between host and microflora.
Microbiology lab
What does it happen in the microbiology lab?
In the microbiology lab we work with bacteria and parasites isolated from various animal species. Our aim is to investigate how our products can interfere with harmful microorganisms, decreasing their pathogenicity. We study whether a substance can have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity, meaning the property to inhibit or kill bacteria. Moreover, we can also study factors involved in virulence expression and the interplay between host and microflora.
Warehouse
For us, being innovative means guaranteeing continuous improvements and cutting-edge performance for our customers.
Every day, our warehouse welcomes several containers ready to deliver our high-tech, innovative and cost-effective solutions all around the World.
A fully functional and coordinated logistics is fundamental to be sure to guarantee the right product at the right time exactly where needed.
Warehouse
For us, being innovative means guaranteeing continuous improvements and cutting-edge performance for our customers.
Every day, our warehouse welcomes several containers ready to deliver our high-tech, innovative and cost-effective solutions all around the World.
A fully functional and coordinated logistics is fundamental to be sure to guarantee the right product at the right time exactly where needed.
Sieves analysis
The granulometric distribution: an important characteristic in Vetagro’s products.
Sieves analysis is the main techniques for routine measurements of particle size distribution. Sieves analysis is performed by Multidimensional Sieveshaker, which has a vibrating platform with sieves assembled on the top section. Sieves with from 2000 μm to 250μm are commonly used to determine particle size distribution of Vetagro’s products.
Sieves analysis
The granulometric distribution: an important characteristic in Vetagro’s products.
Sieves analysis is the main techniques for routine measurements of particle size distribution. Sieves analysis is performed by Multidimensional Sieveshaker, which has a vibrating platform with sieves assembled on the top section. Sieves with from 2000 μm to 250μm are commonly used to determine particle size distribution of Vetagro’s products.
Fluorescence microscope
How to see things in colors
Fluorescence microscope refers to any microscope that uses fluorescence to generate an image. Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool which allows the specific and sensitive staining of a biological sample in order to detect the distribution of proteins or other molecules of interest. In order to make proteins and DNA detectable, specific antibodies or molecules are used. For example, DAPI, which bind the minor groove of DNA, is used to stain the nuclei of cells.
Fluorescence microscope
How to see things in colors
Fluorescence microscope refers to any microscope that uses fluorescence to generate an image. Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool which allows the specific and sensitive staining of a biological sample in order to detect the distribution of proteins or other molecules of interest. In order to make proteins and DNA detectable, specific antibodies or molecules are used. For example, DAPI, which bind the minor groove of DNA, is used to stain the nuclei of cells.
HPLC-DAD/FLD
To separate, identify and quantify components of interest.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is the most widely used method for separation of components in liquid matrix. The liquid sample, dissolved in a mobile phase, is forced through a column packed with separation medium (called stationary phase) by high pressure delivered by a pump. Our pump can deliver up to four different solvents and thus many combinations of them. Analytes of interest, dissolved into the mobile phase, separate by affinity with the stationary phase. The mobile phase brings the separated compounds at different times into a detector: the time at which the analytes reach the detector is called retention time.
The HPLC can be coupled with many detectors, our is linked to a Photo diode array (PDA) and a Fluorescence Detector (FLD). The first can scan a wavelength range (190–900nm) using a photodiode imaging sensor. In fact, PDA allows to quantify our analytes through the measure of the radiation emitted by the analyte itself after being irradiated by Ultraviolet-Visible radiations. The second gives information about the concentration of the analytes thanks to their fluorescence property.
HPLC-DAD/FLD
To separate, identify and quantify components of interest.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is the most widely used method for separation of components in liquid matrix. The liquid sample, dissolved in a mobile phase, is forced through a column packed with separation medium (called stationary phase) by high pressure delivered by a pump. Our pump can deliver up to four different solvents and thus many combinations of them. Analytes of interest, dissolved into the mobile phase, separate by affinity with the stationary phase. The mobile phase brings the separated compounds at different times into a detector: the time at which the analytes reach the detector is called retention time.
The HPLC can be coupled with many detectors, our is linked to a Photo diode array (PDA) and a Fluorescence Detector (FLD). The first can scan a wavelength range (190–900nm) using a photodiode imaging sensor. In fact, PDA allows to quantify our analytes through the measure of the radiation emitted by the analyte itself after being irradiated by Ultraviolet-Visible radiations. The second gives information about the concentration of the analytes thanks to their fluorescence property.
Cell culture incubators
Where cells are grown
A cell culture incubator is a basic cell culture lab equipment especially designed to maintain a specific temperature, CO2, and humidity rate. Its aim is to recreate in vitro the perfect growth condition for each cell culture. For the most part of cell cultures, the ideal growth temperature is 37°C, while relative humidity is usually maintained between 95 and 98% thanks to a sterile water reservoir. CO2 is monitored by means of an internal sensor and insufflated inside the incubator from an external tank to keep an optimal level of 5%.
Cell culture incubators
Where cells are grown
A cell culture incubator is a basic cell culture lab equipment especially designed to maintain a specific temperature, CO2, and humidity rate. Its aim is to recreate in vitro the perfect growth condition for each cell culture. For the most part of cell cultures, the ideal growth temperature is 37°C, while relative humidity is usually maintained between 95 and 98% thanks to a sterile water reservoir. CO2 is monitored by means of an internal sensor and insufflated inside the incubator from an external tank to keep an optimal level of 5%.
LC-MS/MS
Highly sensitive characterization of components from complex matrices
The liquid chromatography is a technique that allows the analysis of mixtures at unknown concentration or composition. The analysis consists in the separation of unknown molecules (called analytes) through a coloumn that is internally coated with silica (this is called “stationary phase”). Analytes elute out of the column thanks to a solvent flow (this method is called liquid chromatography) or thanks to a gas flow (we talk about gas chromatography).
There are two types of liquid chromatography: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The last is more powerful thanks to a major work pressure: we can thus obtain results in around 15 minutes for each analyte (instead 60 minutes if the analysis is carried out with HPLC).
Our laboratory has UHPLC-MS/MS, that is an extremely performing instrument due to the coupling with a mass spectrometer, a very precise detector. This combination allows us to carry out analysis in a short time without errors.
LC-MS/MS
Highly sensitive characterization of components from complex matrices
The liquid chromatography is a technique that allows the analysis of mixtures at unknown concentration or composition. The analysis consists in the separation of unknown molecules (called analytes) through a coloumn that is internally coated with silica (this is called “stationary phase”). Analytes elute out of the column thanks to a solvent flow (this method is called liquid chromatography) or thanks to a gas flow (we talk about gas chromatography).
There are two types of liquid chromatography: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The last is more powerful thanks to a major work pressure: we can thus obtain results in around 15 minutes for each analyte (instead 60 minutes if the analysis is carried out with HPLC).
Our laboratory has UHPLC-MS/MS, that is an extremely performing instrument due to the coupling with a mass spectrometer, a very precise detector. This combination allows us to carry out analysis in a short time without errors.
Microplate reader
To detect biological reactions and processes
A plate or microplate reader is an instrument employed to detect, measure, and monitor biological or chemical reactions. Its use is widely diffused in all the research fields to collect data related to many biological processes of interest. The detection technologies commonly used by microplate readers are absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence, that all employ different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect the progress of a particular reaction, the generation of a colored or fluorescent product, the concentration of a precise molecule, the growth of a bacterium, or the activity of a specific enzyme. Many laboratory assays or commercial kits are specifically designed to take advantage of this instrument, such as ELISA tests and oxidation analyses.
Microplate reader
To detect biological reactions and processes
A plate or microplate reader is an instrument employed to detect, measure, and monitor biological or chemical reactions. Its use is widely diffused in all the research fields to collect data related to many biological processes of interest. The detection technologies commonly used by microplate readers are absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence, that all employ different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect the progress of a particular reaction, the generation of a colored or fluorescent product, the concentration of a precise molecule, the growth of a bacterium, or the activity of a specific enzyme. Many laboratory assays or commercial kits are specifically designed to take advantage of this instrument, such as ELISA tests and oxidation analyses.
Cell culture
What does it happen in the cell culture lab?
In this lab we work with animal intestinal cell lines to recreate the epithelium in-vitro. This allows us to study how our products can ameliorate intestinal integrity and cellular viability. Moreover, we can perform inflammatory and bacterial challenges to simulate host-pathogen interactions and verify how our products act on maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
Cell culture
What does it happen in the cell culture lab?
In this lab we work with animal intestinal cell lines to recreate the epithelium in-vitro. This allows us to study how our products can ameliorate intestinal integrity and cellular viability. Moreover, we can perform inflammatory and bacterial challenges to simulate host-pathogen interactions and verify how our products act on maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
Thermocycler
DNA amplification
The thermocycler is a machine that efficiently raises and decreases temperatures to allow the amplification of DNA during PCR. The mixture containing DNA, polymerase, primers and ions is heated up to 95°C to separate the two strands of DNA; this is called denaturation phase and is meant to separate the two filaments constituting DNA double helix. Later the temperature decreases down to 40-55°C to allow the primers to pair up to the target DNA: this phase is called annealing.
Then temperature is raised up to 65°C to allow the polymerase to copy the segment: this is called elongation phase. After around 40 cycles the DNA is amplified by billions of times and becomes detectable using a fluorescent stain that binds to the DNA.
Thermocycler
DNA amplification
The thermocycler is a machine that efficiently raises and decreases temperatures to allow the amplification of DNA during PCR. The mixture containing DNA, polymerase, primers and ions is heated up to 95°C to separate the two strands of DNA; this is called denaturation phase and is meant to separate the two filaments constituting DNA double helix. Later the temperature decreases down to 40-55°C to allow the primers to pair up to the target DNA: this phase is called annealing.
Then temperature is raised up to 65°C to allow the polymerase to copy the segment: this is called elongation phase. After around 40 cycles the DNA is amplified by billions of times and becomes detectable using a fluorescent stain that binds to the DNA.
Biomolecular lab
The polymerase chain reaction
The polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR, is a fundamental technique in molecular biotechnology.
A fragment of DNA is amplified several times until it becomes detectable with an appropriate machine, called thermocycler.
This technique was invented in 1983 by Kary Mullis.
The process relies on the use of enzymes called polymerases that can copy and paste a segment of DNA using nucleotides (building blocks of DNA) and a mix of ingredients essential for DNA synthesis.
This technique is used to detect and quantify the presence of a target DNA, to estimate gene expression and much more.
Biomolecular lab
The polymerase chain reaction
The polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR, is a fundamental technique in molecular biotechnology.
A fragment of DNA is amplified several times until it becomes detectable with an appropriate machine, called thermocycler.
This technique was invented in 1983 by Kary Mullis.
The process relies on the use of enzymes called polymerases that can copy and paste a segment of DNA using nucleotides (building blocks of DNA) and a mix of ingredients essential for DNA synthesis.
This technique is used to detect and quantify the presence of a target DNA, to estimate gene expression and much more.
Kjeldahl
nitrogen content
The Kjeldahl method is the worldwide standard analysis for determination of nitrogen in a wide variety of materials ranging from human and animal food, fertilizers, waste water and fossil fuels.
The Kjeldahl method consists of three steps:
1) the sample is first digested in 95% sulfuric acid in the presence of a catalyst at 450°. This causes the conversion of the amine nitrogen to ammonium ions.
2) the ammonium ions are then converted into ammonia gas, heated and distilled into a typical Kjeldahl apparatus for distillation. The ammonia gas is led into a trapping solution where it dissolves and becomes an ammonium ion once again.
3) Finally, the amount of ammonium that has been trapped is determined by manual titration with a standard solution.
Kjeldahl
nitrogen content
The Kjeldahl method is the worldwide standard analysis for determination of nitrogen in a wide variety of materials ranging from human and animal food, fertilizers, waste water and fossil fuels.
The Kjeldahl method consists of three steps:
1) the sample is first digested in 95% sulfuric acid in the presence of a catalyst at 450°. This causes the conversion of the amine nitrogen to ammonium ions.
2) the ammonium ions are then converted into ammonia gas, heated and distilled into a typical Kjeldahl apparatus for distillation. The ammonia gas is led into a trapping solution where it dissolves and becomes an ammonium ion once again.
3) Finally, the amount of ammonium that has been trapped is determined by manual titration with a standard solution.