MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY : BIOGEM
The Biofood and Nutraceutics Research and Development Group (GIDIBAN) is a group designed to stimulate and develop research and innovation to contribute to the food industry, the agro-industrial production sector, and the development of pharmaceutical technology.
GIDIBAN belongs to the Faculty of Engineering in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (FICAYA) and was established in 2017 by a group of research professors. GIDIBAN conducts technological and sustainable research for the development of products with functional properties focused on safety, sovereignty, and food safety within the framework of the Plan for the Creation of Opportunities 2021-2025 to achieve the goal of food security.
The Research and Development Laboratory in Microbial Biotechnology (BIOGEM), which belongs to the GIDIBAN group, is a research and development (R&D) laboratory that explores the utilization of native genetic resources from Zone 1 of Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Carchi, Imbabura, and Sucumbíos). BIOGEM was developed with research projects funded by SENESCYT and UTN, and it includes: the Microbiology Area and the Molecular Biology Area.
BIOGEM employs a team of scientists with skills in the fields of genetic engineering, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and their applications in biotechnology, chemistry, and agro-industry. The laboratory also hosts at least a dozen students who develop their graduation projects and contribute to strengthening research in academia.
With the contribution of modern technologies of Biological Sciences, the microbiota of native fruits and flowers of Ecuador is investigated to select and characterize “friendly microorganisms” for human and animal health, as well as probiotic strains for the production of new functional foods or development of new antimicrobial products that act against the multiplication of pathogens in food, promoting natural and healthy preservation.
Microbiology Area, where research activities related to the study of microorganisms are conducted, currently has basic equipment, including autoclaves, microbiological incubators, Millipore water sterilization equipment, analytical balances, drying oven, centrifuges, laminar flow hoods, biosafety cabinet, microscopes, refrigerators, ultra-freezer, water bath, and shaker. Floor for the growth of microorganisms.
Molecular Biology Area that has modern equipment that includes DNA electrophoresis chambers, thermocycler for DNA amplification, nanodrop, vertical electrophoresis for protein gels, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, gel photography system and transilluminator for visualization of DNA gels, microcentrifuge, vortex, micropipette sets, refrigerated centrifuge, and thermoblock.
Area of physicochemical analysis of compounds. d) Ex vitro experimentation area.
Scientific evidence shows that it is necessary to find the role of food in maintaining health and preventing diseases. Health costs, treatments and state support for families with health problems are very high. To reduce these costs, and the number of diseases and also increase people's well-being, a new approach is needed: focusing efforts on prevention and giving due importance to the production and quality of food, which are among the most important factors that influence the state of health of the human body. Also develop new products with direct benefits for the consumer's immunity.
Ecuador, one of the mega diverse countries in the world, has native biological material; but in the field of probiotics and nutraceuticals it has not managed to generate an industry that can export products with sufficient added value. The market is limited to a few trademarked products containing proprietary strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC53100). In light of the major changes made by government policy, several undeveloped natural areas such as subtropical native forests (reservoirs of medicinal plants and fruits) were considered important genetic resources to be exploited for biotechnological research.
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