Reliable health monitoring of laboratory animal colonies is the foundation for safe, reproducible, and high-quality biomedical research. The FELASA recommendations provide an important framework for modern health monitoring programs.

Our Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology enhances conventional pathogen diagnostics with a comprehensive molecular analysis approach.

Unbiased pathogen surveillance combined with comprehensive pathobiome and microbiome analysis – providing an expanded molecular perspective on the health status of your animals.

Comprehensive. Unbiased. Precise.

From Targeted Diagnostics to Comprehensive Pathogen Surveillance

Conventional methods such as serology, culture-based testing, or targeted PCR assays focus on predefined pathogens or pathogen groups. NGS shotgun analysis takes an unbiased approach: rather than defining in advance which pathogens to look for, the sample is comprehensively sequenced and analyzed.

This enables the simultaneous detection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Even rare, unexpected, or mutated pathogens can be detected and characterized based on their sequence information.

This opens up new possibilities for comprehensive health monitoring – particularly when conventional targeted methods reach their limits.

Beyond Pathogen Detection: Pathobiome and Microbiome

One of the key advantages of NGS technology is its ability to go beyond the detection of individual pathogens.

Pathobiome analysis enables comprehensive characterization of potentially relevant pathogens and microbial signatures. At the same time, microbiome analysis provides detailed insights into the composition and structure of microbial communities.

Together, these analyses provide a much broader picture of the biological and health status of a laboratory animal colony.

One analysis. More information. A comprehensive view of colony health.

Key Advantages of NGS Shotgun Analysis

• Unbiased pathogen surveillance: No limitation to a predefined list of target pathogens. NGS enables broad-spectrum analysis of the sample and can reveal unexpected microorganisms.

• Broad pathogen coverage: Simultaneous analysis of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms within a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

• High-resolution molecular data: Sequence-based data enable detailed identification and characterization of detected microorganisms.

• Pathobiome & microbiome: Combining comprehensive pathogen analysis with detailed microbiome profiling provides a deeper perspective on the health status of the animals.

• Detection of antibiotic resistance genes: Additional information on existing antibiotic resistance genes supports a more comprehensive assessment of potential microbial risks.

• Flexible sample types: Depending on the diagnostic question, a wide range of sample materials can be analyzed:

Feces · Tissue · Environmental Samples · Exhaust Air Filters · PathoSreener

• Suitable for multiple laboratory animal species: NGS-based analysis is suitable for health monitoring across a wide range of laboratory animal species and can be flexibly integrated into existing monitoring programs.

For Routine Monitoring and Specialized Diagnostic Questions

NGS can serve both as an extension of established health monitoring programs and as a powerful tool for specific diagnostic challenges.

The technology is particularly valuable for:

• Unexplained disease or infection outbreaks

• Establishing new animal colonies

• Broad-spectrum pathogen screening

• Investigating unusual or unexpected findings

• Further characterization of microbial changes

• Comprehensive pathobiome and microbiome analysis

Comprehensive Diagnostics. Greater Confidence in Your Research.

The quality and reproducibility of biomedical research depend significantly on the health and microbiological quality of the animal models used.

With NGS shotgun analysis, you gain additional insights beyond conventional testing for predefined target pathogens. Comprehensive molecular analysis supports the early identification of potential risks, helps to better interpret unexpected findings, and provides a stronger basis for informed health monitoring decisions

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