Metagenomics

DND Biotech also offers, among its services, metagenomics analyses of the microbial communities (bacteria, archaea and fungi) of the soil, to characterize them at a taxonomic and functional level, and to define their ability to degrade the contaminants of interest present in the soil.

DND Biotech uses a wide variety of technologies, including DNA sequencing with next generation sequencing (NGS) technology and metabarcoding. Soil samples are taken from the site under study, transported to the DND Biotech laboratory and processed to isolate the DNA of their microbial community.

Next, the DNA extracts are sequenced and the data produced is analyzed using bioinformatics techniques.

The result of this study is a characterization of the type of bacteria and other microorganisms present in the samples and their metabolic and degradation capabilities. After the characterization phase, strategies can be developed to isolate individual microbial strains or consortia based on their biodegradation potential. These species can be enriched and used for bioaugmentation purposes as well.

On the basis of taxonomic and functional markers, the microorganisms are divided into different groups, making it possible to carry out remediation and soil remediation for different compounds:

• Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of total hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

• Reductive dechlorination of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAH)

• Reductive and oxidative biodegradation of recalcitrant contaminants (eg PCB)

• Identification and selection of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in soils subjected to bioremediation

Chemical analyses (e.g. C/N/P, soil moisture, pH, temperature, TPH) and metagenomic evaluation of microbial communities in soils undergoing bioremediation can be carried out periodically.

With these results, DND Biotech provides customers with key information on the evolution of the populations of microorganisms present responsible for the degradation of the pollutants and their degradation kinetics.

This is crucial for updating biostimulation and bioaugmentation protocols and estimating the timing and results of remediation.