Microbiology and systems biology

Thema:
Healthy society

The mission of the Microbiology and Systems Biology (MSB) relates closely to the TNO Healthy Society goals. Ambitious as we are, we aim to contribute to halve the burden of infections and lifestyle-related diseases in the next ten years. Therefore, we develop excellent knowledge and high-impact biological innovations to measure, improve and regain health in a non-invasive and cost-efficient way.

Most of the projects are multidisciplinary and are executed with partners inside and outside TNO. We work for both private companies in pharma, food and (digital) health sector and also support public organizations and government.

What we do

The MSB research group consists of two strong teams:

The Microbiology team focuses on microbiome studies (gut, oral, skin, respiratory tract) in which they investigate the health impact of food, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. In addition, the team conducts research into the detection and interaction of micro-organisms in the microbiome and in the above-mentioned organs of the metabolic system. They work in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities up to MLIII level.

The Systems Biology team focuses on the prevention and remission of lifestyle related diseases, thereby identifying relevant (digital) biomarkers and by applying systems interventions. They also look at innovative ways of sharing (health) data and using this data to analyse and predict how these diseases develop. The team’s systemic view on health stimulates collaboration with different partners within and outside TNO.

The two teams collaborate on many projects. In human studies that are initiated by the Systems Biology team, microbiology analyses human samples and interprets the results. The experts on digital health of systems biology also assist the Microbiology team, for instance in innovating their data analysis facilities. Certainly just as important is systems biology’s added value in providing a broader context to the work of microbiology (impact of microbiome on the health system).

Our expertise

We always work in projects for our external (and sometimes internal) customers. There we make use of the following expertise:

Microbiology

  • Generic Microbiology (Cultivation, Metabolomics, Metagenomics, Metatransciptomics)
  • Molecular Diagnostics (Next Generation Sequencing, Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification
  • Functional Microbiome (Human microbiota screening, in-vitro skin and oral biofilm models)
  • Advanced Microbiology (Antifungal Solutions, Virus Innovations, Bacteriophage technology)

Systems Biology

  • Systems Diagnostics (Biomarkers of health and (early) disease, interpretation of mics technology)
  • Systems Flexibility (Phenotypic flexibility & diet-related health, hybrid personalized advice systems)
  • System Interventions (Lifestyle interventions in the treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes type 2, Alzheimer)
  • Digital Health (Health Data Models & Management, Bioinformatics & data integrations, Human Health Trials)

Additional expertise

  • Project management
  • Public-Private-Partnership /  consortium building
  • Statistics / Experimental design

In practice

We are among the best in applied microbiology, systems biology and biotechnology. We are a partner in various national and international networks, and public-private partnerships. In many markets, we work for the top 10 largest companies. We are known for our professionalism and excellent project management.

Interested in our services or partnerships? Please contact us.

Get inspired

22 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

TNO launches digital health spin-off AIKON Health for wearable monitoring

Informatietype:
News
13 September 2023

TNO launches digital health spin-off AIKON Health for wearable monitoring.

TNO signs Declaration of Amsterdam for inclusive and diverse workplace

Informatietype:
News
15 June 2023

Today TNO signs the Declaration of Amsterdam. This is a declaration of intent by Workplace Pride, the international foundation for LGBTQIA+ inclusion at work. With this, TNO underlines the importance, both moral and practical, of an inclusive workplace and organization. More inclusion also reduces dropout and turnover of innovative talent.

TNO publishes fully integrated Annual Report 2022

Informatietype:
News
16 March 2023

TNO's Annual Report 2022 is published. For the first time, it concerns a fully integrated annual report, in which sustainability is fully incorporated into the general annual report.

Public Private Partnership supports intestinal health in early life

Informatietype:
News
28 February 2023

Public Private Partnership Fontanelle works on the solutions that contribute to long-term effects on (gut) health through the development of an integrated approach of in vitro, ex vivo and AI models to test the potential health benefits of specialised nutrition for infants and young piglets.

WHO launches new package to measure early development of children up to 36 months

Informatietype:
News
27 February 2023

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Scales for Early Development (GSED). TNO was part of the team that developed the GSED package. With the Developmental score (D-score), TNO provided the backbone for the GSED.