The Center promotes further understanding of host-microbiome interactions in health and disease, emphasizing a focus on function to define causative effects of the microbiota in vivo and to harness this knowledge in developing new therapies, diagnostics and further commercial applications.
We have worked with more than 80 groups in the US and abroad, and actively seek collaborations with academic institutions and industry-based groups interested in developing microbiome-based applications.
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The Center is divided into the following units:
CLIA (clinical laboratory) and Clinical Trials Unit: provides clinical-grade processing and diagnostic testing, and assistance with consent of patients within Partners Healthcare for microbiome-focused trials.
Computational Unit: Support for longitudinal studies of microbiota dynamics and outcomes prediction form microbiome data in human, animal models or in vitro systems.
Functional Metabolism Unit: Provides access to CLAMS metabolic units for food intake and energy expenditures, including units rigged for gnotobiotic operation; additional platforms support Echo-MRI based body composition and fecal bomb calorimetry.
Gnotobiotic Facility: Germfree isolators, breeding programs, and resources to support high-throughput defined colonization and conventional studies.
Microbiology Unit: Support for microbiologic studies including culturing of aerobic and anaerobic species, microbiota consortia development, metabolite studies of fermentation products, continuous chemostat fermenter systems, extensive commensal and pathogen strain banks.
Molecular Unit: 16S rRNA gene phylotyping and microbial genome sequencing. qPCR and transcriptome analyses. Genetic and synthetic biology systems for manipulating commensals and pathogens.
Project Development: Works with Center users to develop project plans, quotes, and in obtaining needed IRB, IACUC and/or Biosafety protocols. Please fill out our services request form to inquire and/or access Center resources.
Supported by funding from:
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