Biogas Consortium Using Genedata Selector for Metagenomics-based Process Optimization
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Genedata, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for industrial biotechnology, drug discovery, and life science research, has announced its collaboration with GOBI ("General Optimization of BIogasprocesses"), an interdisciplinary biogas research consortium consisting of leading academic and commercial members to improve the overall efficiency of biogas production. GOBI will be using Genedata SelectorTM to leverage the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data, gene expression data, and genotype-phenotype relationships to optimize their biogas fermentation processes. In addition, this collaboration will provide a centralized knowledge management and analysis platform for the different consortium members.
"Biologically derived methane - biogas - plays an important role in meeting global energy demands. At the molecular level, the underlying fermentation process is still considered a black box. " noted GOBI project coordinator Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller (Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Hohenheim). " Understanding this complex process at this level promises a huge optimization potential to increase production yield and diversification such as leveraging waste streams of organic acids for higher value products, specialized fertilizers and sustainable waste management."
"A full understanding of the complete molecular processes in order to optimize microbe populations requires the interpretation of large volumes of complex DNA data representing diverse microbial genomes and strains as well as their RNA data to resolve the transcriptional profile and activities along the fermentation process" said Dr. Steffen Rupp, Head of Department of Molecular Biotechnology at Fraunhofer IGB Stuttgart. He added "Genedata provides us with a comprehensive, collaborative and secure platform for data management and a central database for proprietary and public sequence data. Beyond that, it gives us bioinformatics tools for next-generation sequencing data analyses, taxonomic profiling of microbial communities, and de-novo discovery of genes, proteins and pathways in biomass degradation."
Empowering Industrial Biotech R&D
The GOBI project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, demonstrates the efficacy of Genedata Selector as an enterprise-ready platform that empowers research across the entire R&D workflow for industrial biotechnology. It supports NGS-based genome analyses and the complete mapping of sequence, omics, pathway, and phenotype data.
Specifically, the system provides GOBI with:
• Full support of bioprocess engineering: from metagenomics, biomass to microbiome analysis
Integrative, scalable, and secure strain management
• Complete set of software tools including analyses of raw sequencing data, omics data, and • statistics
• Strain analyses tools to optimize feedstock and use of starter cultures in the fermentation process
• Decision support for production of biogas and bio-based materials
"Genedata is excited to partner with the GOBI consortium and have Genedata Selector contribute to advancing research into renewable energy sources," said Dr Othmar Pfannes, CEO of Genedata. "The work with GOBI has applications beyond biogas production, and is an important piece of our strategy to position Genedata Selector as the platform of choice for innovative bio-based products in industries spanning consumer care and cosmetics to fertilizers and feedstock."
