An unknown threat

Conservation genetics is a key tool to determine the level of threat faced by endangered species, such as European mink. MolECOL allows us to know the situation of these populations and plays a decisive role in the success of preservation programs.

Discovering the invisible

Although it may seem otherwise at first glance, in this photo there is not just one living organism, but 100,000,000. Metagenomics allows to make them visible, through DNA sequencing, identifying new beneficial microorganisms, helping to phytopathogens control or to know the productive capability of soils.

Tradition in the genes

80 % of autochthonous spanish breeds are in risk of extinction. In the Basque Country, 21 from 25 native breeds are badly endangered. Conservation of genetic heritage is crucial to preserve our culture and rural fabric. PROGENIEX allows to protect and improve these indigenous populations.

A pig in a poke

Recurrent food scandals expose the usual practice of marketing fraudulent food products. Both minced meat and processed foods are products that are especially susceptible to tampering or fraudulent substitution. ExcelGENE allows the genetic identification of the products´species, as well as their proportions, constituting a key tool in the fight against fraud in the agri-food industry

Dangerous killer

According to the latest report of the European Food Authority (EFSA), Campylobacter spp., being chickens the main source of infection. It is the main zoonotic agent, and is the cause of hundreds of thousands of cases of infection in Europe, which can result in very serious side-effects, such as Guillain Barre syndrome. The GenExpress diagnostic kits allow detecting the presence of this bacterium from a sample, thus avoiding contamination and dispersion along the food chain.

Unintended environmental terrorists?

Aquatic sports activities are one of the main zebra mussel spread pathways, an invasive species that has had deleterious effects on local ecosystems, threaten the extinction of native species. In addition they have caused a great deal of economic damage by clogging intake pipes of water supply. The detection of mussel larvae, an early indicator of infestation, can be addressed by molecular techniques, such as PCR, offering a fast and reliable tool to control their dispersion.

24k... liquid gold?

More than 89% of the olive oil traded around the world is fraudulent, that is, only 1 bottle in 10 will actually contain 'liquid gold'. ExcelGENE identifies the varieties and species in a sample, discriminating those products that mix olive with other seed oils (sunflower, palm, corn, rapeseed ...)

Silent genocidaires

Of the 7,000 known amphibian species in the world, around a third are threatened with extinction. One of the most probable causes is the rapid rate of pathogens spreading, such as chytrid fungi or ranaviruses, due to globalization and uncontrolled introduction of exotic species. PatoGENOM might be used as a control measure, detecting the presence of pathogens, and preventing their expansion.

Man's best friend

In 2017 there were 135,000 cases of animal abuse in Spain, being the European country with the most cases of animal abuse. Pet abandonment and abuse is becoming more frequent and adopted legislative measures (such as economic penalties) even increase abandonment numbers. CanID enables to identify them by their DNA, avoiding devices which can be easily extracted or tampered (labels, microchips,...)