Metabolon has introduced a new microbiome research solution that integrates metagenomic sequencing, a dedicated microbiome metabolite panel, and multiomics bioinformatics capabilities.
This launch aims to advance microbiome research by enabling a comprehensive understanding of both microbial composition and functional biochemical activity.
According to Metabolon, traditional metagenomics sequencing is used to identify the diversity and genetic potential of microbial communities. However, this method alone does not reveal the actual biochemical roles performed by these microbes.
Metabolon’s approach incorporates metabolomics, which measures small molecules and metabolites present in biological samples, to provide a phenotypic representation of microbiome activity. This combined method enables the study of microbial functions that influence host health, immune responses, and disease pathways.
The newly introduced platform offers flexible metagenomic sequencing options that can be tailored in method and depth. These can be seamlessly integrated with metabolomics data to provide a multi-layered view of microbiome profiles.
Metabolon chief business officer Karl Bradshaw said: “Metabolon is now a one-stop shop for high-quality metagenomics and metabolomics data, integrated and visualised within an easy-to-use bioinformatics platform.
“This synergy enables deeper microbiome insights than possible with either approach individually. Metabolomics is an essential companion to metagenomics and rapidly reveals the biological impact of microbiome variations.”
At the core of the new solution is a targeted microbiome panel that covers hundreds of specific metabolites linked to microbial activity. This panel can be used alongside Metabolon’s broader Global Discovery Panel to deepen analytical reach.
The solution also includes a bioinformatics toolkit that supports both experienced and early-stage microbiome researchers.
It features standardised data processing pipelines for shotgun metagenomics and 16S rRNA sequencing data. These pipelines assist researchers in analysing the structure and variation of microbial communities across different sample types and experimental groups.
Machine learning capabilities are embedded within the platform to support multiomic integration, correlating microbial composition data with metabolic profiles. This function enables the identification of associations between microbes and their biochemical outputs, contributing to the discovery of biomarkers and the investigation of complex disease-related mechanisms.
This microbiome research solution is positioned to support a wide range of applications in life sciences, from biomedical research and therapeutic development to the implementation of precision medicine strategies. By offering a comprehensive view of microbial identity and function, Metabolon seeks to enhance the analytical capabilities available to microbiome researchers.
