Process analysis with PCR/qPCR

Process analysis with PCR/qPCR


The cultivation of microorganisms depends on many different parameters, which can have a considerable influence on the process to be analyzed. As part of current research activities at GMBU e.V., fast and reliable methods based on the molecular biological process of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are to be established.


The focus of the “WinBio” research project (feed for aquaculture) was on the molecular biological analysis of the altered gene expression of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis as a function of various cultivation parameters in order to efficiently induce carotenoid synthesis and the associated production of the high-value product astaxanthin.


The “flexigast” project aimed to analyze the microbiological status of selected methanogenic microorganisms in biogas plants. For this purpose, a specific detection of the existence of the organisms in heterogeneous fermentation residue samples was developed with the help of special primers required for PCR/qPCR. Changes in the microbiological status in biogas plants as a result of varying process conditions can thus be detected at an early stage and help to assess the situation in order to initiate countermeasures to protect the process biology if necessary.