Biotechnology
Proteomics (i.e. the study of proteins) as a tool for developing new diagnostic methods has been a priority area at Biomiljø for several years. This strategy has resulted in comprehensive experience within proteomic research, as well as, great laboratory facilities, which again has strongly influenced the new research focus of Biomiljø, represented by biotechnology.
Research based innovation and a close dialogue with our clients has been turned into industrial solutions. New diagnostic methods based on protein expression profiles have been developed and commercialised within topics such as
- Gender determination
- Protein production
- Tools for environmental risk and impact assessment
IRIS Biomiljø for years investigated the effects of environmental pollution using proteomics (as well as other biological and chemical methods). One of the interesting findings was that both proteins and animal responses were gender dependent. Based on this, our scientists developed a technique for early gender determination of juvenile organisms and gametes, using a proteomic approach. IRIS has chosen to commercialise the technology through its subsidiary company: GenderGuide AS. Gender determination and selection will have an important economic impact within breeding in both aquaculture and agriculture. For more information, - www.genderguide.no
Furthermore, IRIS Biomiljø collaborates with the Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine to find diagnostic/prognostic proteinmarkers of animal health. An exemple is a project An example is a project where the aim is to discover and identify preclinical diagnostic markers of the scrapie disease in sheep using a proteomics approach, and subsequently produce an easy-to-use commercial kit for fast diagnosis of the disease.
A similar approach is used in a cancer-research project in collaboration with Stavanger University Hospital, where the aim is to improve prediction accuracy of regression-or-not in women with high grade cervical intraepithelial (CIN2”-3) to reduce surgical overtreatment of such patients.
FUGE
Due to the modern state-of-the art infrastructure for functional genomics research and analytical chemistry at IRIS, we were recently invited to be a national technology platform in proteomics (in collaboration with University of Stavanger), by joining the NorProteomics Consortium of the Functional genomics program of the Research Council of Norway (FUGE)
Biomiljø also include the companies Biosentrum AS and Bioprotein AS:
Biosentrum AS is large fermentation and processing facility, delivering from “Gene to Product”. Biosentrum AS operates in the field of microbial fermentation, and has more than 15 years of experience as a contract research (CRO) and contract manufacturing organisation (CMO). The fermentation facility offers fermentation capacities ranging from small scale lab and pilot fermenters for non-clinical development, to commercial quantities.
Biosentrum covers all stages in the development of a manufacturing process. A fully equipped pilot scale facility covering upstream and down stream equipment as well as analytical services enables Biosentrum to bridge the gap between laboratory and successful production of active bio molecules. The speciality of Biosentrum is recombinant organisms, with a special focus on bacteria (E. coli) and yeast.
Bioprotein AS was established jointly by IRIS, University of Bergen and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) and collaborates with StatoilHydro. The overall objective is to develop alternative and cost efficient products/applications based on fermentation technology using Norwegian natural gas.
A first target is to be able to use natural gas for fermentation of biomass in order to obtain a nutritional supplement which can be used within aquaculture and agriculture. Production of protein derivates and high value products is also an important goal. These processes can be performed with lower energy consumption and less environmental impact than traditional feed production.
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