Biotech Area
Omic Sciences
A mixed unit made up of researchers from Rovira i Virgili University and Eurecat
The Omic Sciences Department is a mixed unit made up of researchers from Rovira i Virgili University and Eureca carries out its activities using the state-of-the-art infrastructures at the Centre for Omic Sciences (COS), a unique centre with all the latest metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics technology. It offers an extensive range of biomarker research services in various areas of health, food and the environment, from project design support to the analysis and integration of the data obtained from various omics technologies.
Featured
The Center for Omic Sciences is considered a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. It is a unique avant-garde experimental tool in Spain equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies in the fields of metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics, to advance towards personalized nutrition. Despite being owned by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, its use is carried out by a mixed R&D&I unit made up of professionals from Eurecat and the URV.
Experience
Biomarkers
- Vast experience in combining omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) from both biofluids and various tissues to offer an overview of the metabolic changes that occur in a biological system.
- The omics data generated can be used to discover new biomarkers, to get a better understanding of a disease (by studying its mechanisms of action and the expected and unexpected effects of various therapies), and to establish new hypotheses.
- Molecular biomarkers (genes, proteins, metabolites, etc.) can be used for disease prediction, patient stratification and treatment monitoring.
Metagenomics
- Studies into changes in the composition and distribution of microbiomes in human and animal health, in soil samples and in other environmental samples.
- Metagenomics analyses may include traditional 16sRNA sequencing approaches through Sanger technology for bacteria and archaea that can be cultivated in the laboratory, as well as advanced analysis of the microbial community of different regions of the 16sRNA gene through mass sequencing with the Ion Torrent platform.
- Solid experience in the analysis of bacterial biodiversity and metabolic conversions of ingested dietary compounds through microorganisms in the intestinal microbiota.
- We offer advanced metaproteomics studies to aid comprehension of the functional capabilities of each species within the community.
Food safety
- Development of applications of omics technologies to different types of food fraud.
- Omics technologies offer an invaluable option for detecting the authenticity and integrity of food. Through the analysis of specific DNA sequences or the fingerprint profile of fatty acids, there are many ways in which these approaches can become a real tool for assessing food safety.
- The application of common analytical platforms in other omics approaches has also proved valuable when providing critical information on the biochemical composition of various food products.
Bioinformatics and biostatistics
- Analyses of individual omics methodologies, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, protein sequencing, gene expression, genome assembly, PTM analysis, protein-protein interaction, identification and quantification of metabolites, etc.
- Other notable endeavours include multi-omics data integration studies, statistical analyses, the construction of predictive models through machine learning, virtual screening of small molecules and target fishing (reverse virtual screening) for potential new targets for known compounds.
Services
Metabolomics
- Metabolomics project design.
- Untargeted metabolomics through LC-MS.
- Untargeted metabolomics through GC-MS.
- Metabolomic profiles through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
- Lipidomics.
- Energy metabolism studies.
- Metabolite panel analyses: amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, acylcarnitines, etc.
Proteomics studies
- Proteomics project design
- Label-free comparative/quantitative proteomics projects label free.
- Comparative/quantitative proteomics projects with isobaric labelling.
- Phosphoproteomics studies.
- Glycosylation studies.
- Targeted proteomics analyses through LC-MS/MS (MRM).
- Targeted proteomics analyses through ELISA and/or Milliplex.
- Proteomics of protein complexes (MSIA).
- Intact protein proteomics projects.
- Metaproteomics of complex bacterial populations.
Genomics and Transcriptomics analysis
- Genomics and Transcriptomics project design.
- Mass sequencing projects: resequencing, de novo sequencing, etc.
- Promoter region mapping studies. ChIP-seq.
- Genotyping studies.
- Exome studies.
- Gene expression projects through the Microarrays platform.
- Gene expression projects through the RNAseq platform.
- Metagenomics of complex bacterial populations through 16sRNA.
Bioinformatics and biostatistics
- Biostatistics (comparison between groups, correlation of variables, etc.) for any kind of data (omics or otherwise).
- Analysis of metabolic pathways.
- Microarray and RNA-Seq analysis.
- Assembly, mapping and annotation of prokaryotic and small eukaryotic genomes.
- Metagenomics analyses (data processing, taxonomic classification, statistical analyses).
- Construction of predictive models through machine learning Correlation of the impact of genes and proteins with diseases.
- Development and automation of workflows for data processing and analysis.
- Virtual screening of small molecules to find potential new compounds with a specific activity.
- Target fishing (reverse virtual screening) to find potential new targets for known compounds.
Training
Our experts have vast experience in metabolomics, bioinformatics, statistics and various fields of application that range from food to the pharmaceutical industry.
We help businesses to:
- Plan or carry out their study or provide information for it through omics methods.
- Carry out experimental designs, technology selection and data integration.
- Interpret results from various omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics or metabolomics).
Most representative sectors
Key projects
Team
Núria Canela
Director of the Omic Sciences Department at Eurecat
Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona (2002). Núria Canela has extensive experience in both academic and industrial research and has participated in various scientific and technical platforms and services dedicated to omic sciences (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics). She has co-authored various research articles in international journals and her main scientific contributions focus on the field of functional proteomics and on the improvement and integration of information gathered through various omics methodologies, in order to generate a more realistic, holistic view of systems biology. Through this work, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in a wide range of biotechnologies. Currently, her work at the Omic Sciences Department at Eurecat centres around the application of omics methodologies to the study of biological systems, from the simplest (cell cultures, biological fluids, tissues) to the most complex (microbial communities in the human microbiota).
