Quarterly | Q1

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Quarterly | 1 | 2009

Dear reader,

Welcome to Biqualys Quarterly.

A few weeks ago I gave a presentation for EIRMA on valorisation of R&D activities to European R&D managers from many different industries. Rarely have I seen such a diverse mixture of senior professionals gathered to share best practices and discuss ways to make money out of scientific insights.

Over the years I learned that a multiple disciplinary project requires a different approach. No one can assess the credibility of each others’ expertise and they all need to communicate beyond their ordinary vocabulary as that is the only way to find a common ground. My message at EIRMA was exactly that: The real added value of research can be found in the solution-space between disciplines, not within a single one. You just need to find the right “translator”.

Biqualys has been initiated from different viewpoints and objectives and to my big relief we are well positioned between the disciplines, complementing other experts. This issue offers a wide range of scientific results and I am convinced you will enjoy the insights from other experts.

Jeroen van der Leijé
CEO Biqualys

» Collaboration agreement negotiated with Wageningen
University on protein identification in human microbial
systems

In 2008 we worked together with de Laboratory of Microbiology of Wageningen University on a high throughput screening method to identify proteins in human gut based on a proprietary database.

Gut derived samples contain proteins from different origins: from the food, from the essential and highly diverse gut bacteria and from the human hosts themselves. Protein identification from such complex sample material makes the process labour intensive consequently very costly.

The collaboration between Biqualys and the laboratory of microbiology of prof dr Willem de Vos and dr Peter Schaap has now resulted in an attractive proposition to the industry, in which the effects of nutrients on gut microbiota and gut health can be studied, at reasonable costs.

If you are interested in these services, contact us for more information.

» Case study: Impressive results at the Milk Genomics Project

Mid 2008, a study took place regarding the identification of proteins in milk from cows. In literature, 50-100 proteins are described for milk using proteomics studies. With the UPLC-FTMS configuration at Biqualys, we provided 250 different proteins in a two week period.

Although the additional number of proteins and the speed is remarkable, it also creates new opportunities for finding biomarkers and bio-active components to be used by feed, food and pharmaceutical companies. The added value for the industry can be found in the decrease of duration of the research and the impressive quality of the results.

As a follow up from this project, we are now engaged in a study regarding the relationship between feed and secondary metabolites in milk, which may replace the current practice of studying pin liquids. This enables farmers to better specify the feed, based on the health assessment of the individual animal.

» FND project on identification and quantification of lycopenes

End of 2008 the Dutch Liaison of Innovation in The Netherlands, Senter Novem, granted a feasibility study for reliable quantification of different types of lycopenes in a food matrix.

It appears that the current HPLC methods to quantify lycopenes result in inconsistent data. Especially the sample preparation and the time it takes to analyse the sample has an adverse effect on the results.

At Biqualys we are using NMR with a minimum of preparation efforts, leading to robust and stable results. Early analysis shows that all the Z- and E- lycopenes can be detected in the NMR spectrum, following minimal preparation efforts.

We will keep you posted.

» Mark your diary: 19 June 2009: Seminar on Advanced Analysis
& NMR User Day

Recently our partner the Wageningen NMR Centre (WnmrC) received a confirmation from the European Commission that the prolongation of the EU-Infrastructure Project had been accepted.

This allows us to combine the NMR User Meeting with the Biqualys Symposium on Advanced Analysis, along similar lines as previously. Especially the diverse backgrounds of the speakers, will provide you with analytical insights on NMR and MS analysis which may be highly applicable to your field of expertise.

The NMR User Meeting will take place in the direct vicinity of Wageningen, NL on June 18- 19, followed by the Symposium on the 19th, starting at 14:00. The symposium is free of charge, but registration is required. Please note the NMR User Day has a participation fee.

If you are interested in participating, please send us an email or follow this link : Wageningen NMR Centre.

» How are you responding to the financial headwind?

The current financial climate drives companies to cut costs, lay off staff and postpone investment decisions. As a consequence companies are in fact sacrificing their research potential, which will have an adverse effect on longer term profitability.

At the start of Biqualys we have invested heavily in the latest NMR and MS equipment and staff, to be able to complement the analytical capabilities of our clients in identification of compounds, high throughput screening and quality controls.

Is your research is affected by the delay of investment decisions? We may be able to provide the advanced analytical services required to allow you to continue your research.

» This Quarter's Challenge

All the time we are faced with challenges. Some are very urgent; others are fun to get resolved, in rare cases both. If you want to participate in an open Innovation Forum, to allow others to help you resolving your challenge, contact us for more information.

In this Quarters' Challenge we have the following on offer:

Our client would like to learn whether there is a high throughput method to assess whether chicken eggs have been fertilized before they go into the hatching room. It appears that about 10% of the eggs are wasted.

If you have a method available, or are interested in developing one, please let us know and we will connect you to our client.

» Leadership and inspiration

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."

[ Will Rogers | From ‘Conclusion to Walden’, found on: Right track coaching ]