Discovery platform
R&D, strain screening, bioactivity and CRO services
Our state-of-the-art R&D facility, located in the Lille Metropole area, has all the equipment needed to carry out research programs on microbial strain screening and characterization.
- Fully equipped discovery platform (microbiology, biochemistry, cell culture laboratories) for characterization of microbial strains, screening of biological activities, biomolecule identification.
- Pilot production line for specialty fermentation and starter strain production (2L to 30L bioreactors, concentration, freeze-drying...).
Our R&D programs focus on lactic acid bacteria characterization, and on the exploration of their potential for industrial applications.
- Probiotic strain characterization: antibiotic resistance, safety, GIT survival…
- Fermentation process development: optimization of bacterial growth and metabolic activity in batch- or continuous systems, development of fermentation media (dairy, non-dairy…).
We can evaluate the probiotic properties of microbial strains using in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical studies.
- Cell culture models (adherent on non-adherent, multi-layer cultures, organoids). Available models include intestinal cells (Caco-2, HT-29: gut health, permeability), liver cells (HepG2: liver protection), keratinocytes (HaCaT: inflammation, apoptosis for skin health), macrophages (U937: immune function).
- Bioanalyses: flow cytometry, qPCR for gene expression, spectrometry and spectrofluorometry for biochemical testing (ELISA, enzymatic activities, cell function and cell cycle assays…).
We are using proprietary, AI-based bioinformatics tools to analyse microbial whole genome sequences and predict the strain safety (antibiotic resistance, virulence factors), technological characteristics and potential probiotic properties.
VF Bioscience has the French CIR accreditation to work as a CRO and offers contract or collaborative research services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the discovery platform?
Our research and development capability for microbial strain screening and characterisation, with the equipment needed to run strain discovery and pilot fermentation programs.
Do you offer contract research or CRO services?
Yes, we work through collaborative research and can act as a contract research partner (CIR accreditation).
What can you evaluate or test?
We can assess the probiotic properties of microbial strains, and we use proprietary AI based bioinformatics tools to analyse whole genome sequences and predict strain safety and characteristics.