We Leverage State-of-the-art Facilities and Equipment
Discovery and Clinical Research Center (Canada)
Located within the National Research Council of Canada in Montreal, the Discovery and Clinical Research Center encompasses four cutting-edge laboratories:
- One biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory
- One clinical laboratory
- Two pre-clinical laboratories: Analyses for host-microbe interactions and molecular biology projects are conducted in these facilities
- Monitored ULT -80°C for the storage of clinical samples and bacteria.
The laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art tools for molecular biology, proteomics, and host-microbe interaction studies, including:
- Liquid handling robots for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and sequencing workflow automation
- Flow cytometry to quantify bacterial strains and cell lines, or to quantify specific biological markers
- Real-time and digital thermocyclers to quantify DNA/RNA
- Illumina sequencer for genomic and transcriptomic next-generation sequencing experiments
- Luminex instrument for multiplex assays of up to 80 protein quantification from a single sample
The facility has advanced platforms to explore host-microbe interactions, including:
- Large collection of bacterial strains and pathogens
- Robust platforms utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to study lifespan, health span, gastrointestinal barrier integrity, and microbial interactions under varied experimental conditions
- MicroTracker Smart Devices for monitoring nematode locomotion in real-time
- Fluorescence microscopes for visualizing molecular and cellular responses in live C. elegans and in cell culture models imaging
- Expertise and equipment to conduct in vitro experiments using mammalian intestinal, vaginal epithelial cell lines, and gingiva fibroblast cell line for probiotics adhesion assays, co-inoculation with pathogens to verify probiotic protective effect, and inflammation assays
Bioprocess and Galenic Expertise Center (France)
Located in the Toulouse area, the Lallemand Health Solutions Bioprocess and Galenic Platform is specialized in the development of bacteria processes and formulations with yeast and/or bacteria. The Platform benefits from a vast in-house collection of probiotic strains and pathogens. Research activities are grouped around three axes:
- Development of new products (new strain processes, new galenic forms/finished products, specific customer needs)
- Optimization of existing products
- Technical support for our production plants and/or customers
The Lallemand Health Solutions Bioprocess and Galenic Center has more than 700 square meters of laboratories dedicated to the replication, culture and application of probiotic strains from lab to pilot scale. The laboratory is equipped with:
- Multiple bioreactors, from 1L to 150L
- Down-stream process (DSP) equipment for filtration, centrifugation and freeze-drying from lab to pilot scale
- Formulation equipment from lab-scale to pilot-scale for the manufacturing of capsules, tablets, sachets and semi-solid products. Equipment for powder grinding and powder coating (fluidized bed)
- Characterization equipment for powders (granulometry, density, flowability) and finished products (dissolution and disintegration time, hardness and friability, texture)
- Flow cytometry to quantify and determine physiological state of cells throughout processing steps
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to quantify metabolites production and substrate consumption during fermentation
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and cryo-microscopy for physical characterization and better optimization of cryoformula and freeze-drying steps.
- Semi dynamic in vitro digestive model
Following process development at lab scale, the pilot scale implemented in the same platform is key to evaluating its scale-up feasibility and preparing its industrialization in Lallemand Health Solutions plants. The platform is in constant evolution to host the latest technology and maintain its capacity for innovation. In 2024, we launched a 240-square-meter lab, with all the necessary equipment for innovation, such as a BioLector (high throughput screening of culture conditions) and relevant material for managing anaerobic/NGS strains.
Traceability and Security of Operations at the RIMAP
All RIMAP platforms use a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that combines several functionalities to manage inventories, experiments, protocols, and workflows. Samples are identified with barcodes and added to inventories, which can then be linked to experiment notebook entries. Lab journal notebook entries are also connected to standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring consistency and reliability. The use of this comprehensive management system, fully deployed in 2022, ensures the traceability and security of our operations.