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Strain Screening and Characterization Services

CD Biosynsis provides expert Strain Screening and Characterization Services essential for advancing metabolic engineering and synthetic biology projects. Our integrated platform combines automated High-Throughput Screening (HTS Services) with multi-omics and advanced analytical tools to rapidly evaluate and deeply characterize thousands of microbial strains. We go beyond simple titer measurements, providing comprehensive data on growth kinetics , product yield , metabolic flux , and process robustness . This deep characterization is crucial for validating engineered strains, identifying performance bottlenecks, and accelerating the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle for any host organism, including E. coli, yeast, and fungi.

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From High-Throughput to High-Resolution Analysis

Strain characterization is the 'Test' and 'Learn' phase of the DBTL cycle. It involves two critical stages: first, screening thousands of variants quickly and quantitatively to find the rare elite strains; second, characterizing those elites using high-resolution tools to understand why they perform better. Our services utilize automated microplate systems and FACS for the initial screen, followed by advanced omics and miniature bioreactors to deliver actionable data for strain optimization and scale-up.

High-Throughput Screening and Deep Characterization

High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Advanced Analytical Characterization Bioreactor and Process Validation

Rapid Identification of Lead Strains

Quantitative Screening of Libraries

Microplate-based screening using automated liquid handling and plate readers to assess production, growth rate, and biosensor response for thousands of variants.

Detailed analysis of the observable characteristics of the strain, including growth kinetics, morphology, and stress resistance.

Media and Stress Optimization

Screening strains under varied conditions (pH, temperature, osmolarity, media components) to identify robust performers and optimize initial cultivation parameters.

Deep Insights via Multi-Omics Analysis

Understanding Cellular Mechanics

Quantitative analysis of metabolites to confirm pathway activity and detect bottlenecks.

Genomic sequencing and transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) analysis to confirm genetic modifications and identify global gene expression changes.

Verification of strain identity and purity using PCR and sequencing methods to prevent contamination and mislabeling.

Process-Ready Strain Performance

Simulating Scale-Up Conditions

Rigorous assessment of key industrial metrics like Qp (specific productivity), Yp/s (yield), and final titer under optimized conditions.

Long-term culture stability assessment to ensure engineered pathways and phenotypes are maintained during extended fermentation runs.

Characterizing lead strains in highly controlled, small-scale bioreactors to optimize induction and feeding strategies.

Core Technologies for Accurate Strain Assessment

Automated Liquid Handling

Precision robotics for rapid media preparation, serial dilutions, and plate replication, minimizing human error and maximizing throughput.

Flow Cytometry (FACS)

High-speed analysis and sorting of single cells based on fluorescence and scatter data, enabling the recovery of the rarest, highest-producing variants.

High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

State-of-the-art LC-MS and GC-MS platforms for accurate quantification of target products and intermediate metabolites.

Screening and Characterization Workflow

A step-by-step process for generating high-confidence performance data.

Library HTS

Lead Validation & Titer

Deep Omics Characterization

Bioreactor Process Testing

Initial Screen: Rapidly test thousands of engineered strains/libraries using plate readers or FACS for primary metrics (growth/fluorescence).

Selection: Filter down the library to the top 0.1\% of best performers.

Validation: Retest lead strains in shake flasks under controlled conditions.

Titer Measurement: Use LC-MS or HPLC to accurately quantify the final product concentration.

Metabolomics: Analyze key intermediates and products to find the precise location of metabolic bottlenecks.

Transcriptomics: Determine if the pathway gene expression is balanced and efficient.

Process Simulation: Test final strains in mini-bioreactors to optimize induction and feeding strategies.

Data Feedback: Generate a comprehensive report to inform the next design cycle (DBTL Learn Phase).

Benefits of Our Integrated Platform

Maximized Throughput

           

Ability to test >50,000 variants per campaign, maximizing the search space for high-titer strains.

High-Confidence Data

           

Use of advanced LC-MS and multi-omics provides accurate, high-resolution data that guides rational engineering.

Scale-Up Ready Strains

           

Strains are validated under simulated industrial conditions (mini-bioreactors), reducing failure risk during scale-up.

Accelerated DBTL Cycle

           

Rapid screening and detailed analysis drastically reduce the time needed to move from a concept to a production-ready strain.

Client Testimonials on Screening and Characterization

   
   

"The Metabolomics Characterization identified a critical bottleneck at an intermediate step we completely overlooked, allowing us to implement a targeted fix that doubled our product titer."

Dr. Emily Watts, R\&D Director, Chemical Biomanufacturing

"Their FACS screening expertise quickly isolated the 1\% of our library that was responsible for 90\% of the total product, saving us months of traditional plate screening."

Mr. David Lee, Process Engineer, Food Ingredients

"The Mini-Bioreactor Validation proved our strain was robust enough for industrial scale-up, giving us the confidence to commit resources to the large-scale fermentation trials."

Ms. Anya Singh, CTO, Biofuels Research

"We commissioned CD Biosynsis to support an intricate gene editing project with multiple targets. Their talent in producing high-quality work in a short period of time was impressive. Their solutions were custom made to suit our needs, and they went above and beyond to ensure our experiments worked. Their support has been a great asset to our research department and we look forward to further working with them."

Dr. Raj Patel, Principal Investigator, Department of Molecular Biology

"As a pharmaceutical company working to discover new cancer therapies, we require accurate, trustworthy gene editing solutions. CD Biosynsis did more than what we expected when it came to providing strong, accurate CRISPR/Cas9 solutions for our preclinical research. Their technical support team was excellent and responsive, and they quickly replied to our questions. This alliance has been pivotal in helping us move our drug pipeline forward. Thank you, CD Biosynsis, for your amazing service!"

Dr. Clara Rodriguez, Chief Scientist, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Spain

   
   
   
           
   

FAQs about Strain Screening and Characterization

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What is the minimum library size required for HTS?

While we can handle libraries of any size, HTS is most effective for libraries containing at least a few hundred to several thousand variants. The optimal size depends on the expected frequency of high-performing strains.

Can you characterize strains other than E. coli?

Yes. Our screening and analytical platforms are versatile and can be adapted to characterize a wide range of microbial hosts, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), various fungi, and other bacteria.

How does metabolomics help in strain optimization?

Metabolomics provides a snapshot of the cell's metabolic state. By quantifying key intermediate metabolites, we can precisely locate bottlenecks in the engineered pathway (e.g., product build-up before a slow enzyme) and guide the next rational genetic modification.

What data is included in the final characterization report?

The report includes HTS primary data, HPLC/MS titer and yield quantification, growth kinetics profiles, omics analysis results (if commissioned), and mini-bioreactor performance summaries.

How much does Metabolic Engineering services cost?

The cost of Metabolic Engineering services depends on the project scope, complexity of the target compound, the host organism chosen, and the required yield optimization. We provide customized quotes after a detailed discussion of your specific research objectives.

Do your engineered strains meet regulatory standards?

We adhere to high quality control standards in all strain construction and optimization processes. While we do not handle final regulatory approval, our detailed documentation and compliance with best laboratory practices ensure your engineered strains are prepared for necessary regulatory filings (e.g., GRAS, FDA).

What to look for when selecting the best gene editing service?

We provide various gene editing services such as CRISPR-sgRNA library generation, stable transformation cell line generation, gene knockout cell line generation, and gene point mutation cell line generation. Users are free to select the type of service that suits their research.

Does gene editing allow customisability?

Yes, we offer very customised gene editing solutions such as AAV vector capsid directed evolution, mRNA vector gene delivery, library creation, promoter evolution and screening, etc.

What is the process for keeping data private and confidential?

We adhere to the data privacy policy completely, and all customer data and experimental data are kept confidential.