Beyond “who is there” investigation in microbiome research
Understanding interactions within microbiomes is a complex challenge, especially when these interactions are not directly tied to growth and cell numbers. Interspecies synergy, competition, and other interactions within microbiomes can manifest in various ways beyond simple cell division, such as through changes in overall metabolic rates.
Unfortunately, most of our current techniques for investigating microbiomes, such as plating and sequencing, focus primarily on identifying which species are present rather than understanding what they are actually doing. Symcel’s calScreener changes the game.
The holistic approach
To truly comprehend the intricate workings of complex multispecies communities, we need new methods that allow us to study these communities holistically. We must focus on factors such as total metabolic turnover, carbon flow, keystone species, and the robustness of the community as a whole. Additionally, it is crucial to have a technology that can inform us how various interventions—such as the addition or removal of a species, the introduction of complex carbon sources, or the presence of pollutants—affect the overall metabolism of the microbiome.
The Symcel calScreener™ provides an innovative solution to this problem so that even small changes in the metabolism of an entire microbiome can be measured accurately. This enables us to determine how much energy is being turned over by all processes within a sample, independent of growth. This in turn facilitates investigation into the contributions from non-growing species and strains, whose roles might be overlooked by conventional cell-quantitative techniques. Using the calScreener™, you gain a deeper understanding of microbiome interactions and dynamics, paving the way for more advanced and comprehensive studies of microbial communities.
Investigate microbiomes in their natural state
Many of the most interesting microbiome samples and communities, such as those found in soil, fecal matter, and other complex environments, are inherently messy and intricate. Traditional methods often require removing the microbiome from its natural environment or creating artificial model systems to study these communities and their interactions.
Unfortunately, this approach can lead to misleading conclusions because the conditions in vitro do not accurately reflect the natural state. In highly complex environments like soil, a single gram may contain hundreds of distinct ecological niches, each influencing the behavior of the species and strains inhabiting them.
The solution
We need to investigate microbiomes directly in situ, preserving their natural complexity as much as possible. This approach allows us to study turnover, metabolism, synergy, and competition within these communities without resorting to reductionistic, artificial models. For example, we could examine what happens to soil when it is contaminated with microplastics, analyzing the entire system with all its complexity intact.
Using microcalorimetry, the calScreener enables researchers to analyze any sample directly, based on all the metabolic processes occurring within it. There’s no need to prepare or alter the samples—whether it’s soil, seawater, feces, or any other complex material, and regardless of whether the organisms are anaerobic or aerobic.
The calScreener allows for the direct investigation of microbiomes, providing a true reflection of their natural state and interactions, thus offering deeper insights and more reliable conclusions.