Meet the Biobank: The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics – Dynamite Comes In Small Packages

Fun fact: There are more microbes in a few grams of soil than there are people on the entire planet. Bacteria, archaea and other microorganisms – and viruses – come in a bewildering diversity of shapes, strains and species, live in a wide range of environments, and may hold secrets that could vastly improve our lives, if we only knew more about them. That’s where the microbial biobank at the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology (IMBM) really shines.

The IMBM is recognised as one of the leading research units at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and  is well known nationally and internationally for its research in the fields of microbial biotechnology, bioactive discovery and microbial ecology. As part of this research, the IMBM has established a diverse microbial collection ranging from extreme to indigenous environments including South African marine, and medicinal fynbos amongst others. 

“As microbiologists we get really excited about the incredible diversity of bacteria and their viruses – and through genome-guided discovery, using them as solutions to a more sustainable future for humankind,” explains IMBM Director Professor Marla Trindade (who also holds the SARChI Chair in Microbial Genomics). “So we have travelled all over the world to source microorganisms with extraordinary functions – and this has enabled us to establish a unique and extensive microbial collection.”

The collection includes over 4000 strains as well as metagenomic libraries and environmental DNA preparations generated from these unique environments. Due to the extent and novel nature of the bacterial strains in the IMBM collection, the IMBM was selected as one of the seven core Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) biobanks, and serves as the core microbial biobank. 

IMBM Biobank Technical Manager Stephanie Lawrence (left) and IMBM Research and Innovation Manager Dr Anita Burger (right) lead South Africa’ core microbial biobank.

“The genomes from these isolates or metagenomes are largely unexplored, and therefore harbour great potential for the discovery of novel, high-value natural compounds for product development,” explains Dr Anita Burger, Research and Innovation Manager at the IMBM.

The IMBM research and innovation programme focuses on the use of (meta)genomics for the development of technologies to produce novel, high-value natural products for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, food & beverage and agricultural industries, as well as products for industrial applications.

Dr Burger and her team, including IMBM chief Technical Officer and Lab Manager Dr Lonnie van Zyl and IMBM Biobank Technical Officer Stephanie Lawrence, are responsible for isolating microorganisms from a variety of habitats, testing and sorting them, storing the relevant data – and ultimately ensuring that this data (and the associated strains) are utilised effectively.

But they don’t do it alone.

The Biobank provides an opportunity for national and international interested parties to access some of South Africa’s unique microbial biodiversity for academic, as well as research and innovation purposes. Through the initiative the IMBM aims to promote scientific research, discovery, and development of high-value products, processes and services for application in a range of industries. 

“We will never be able to fully utilise the potential that this collection holds on our own,” Dr Burger notes. “That’s why the biobank is proud to be able to provide fellow South Africans and other interested parties with access to one of South Africa’s richest biodiversity resources.”

So what do they do, exactly? And how do they do it? And, just as importantly, why?

Let’s let the IMBM biobank team explain it in their own words – watch and learn.

Want to know more about the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics? Why not visit the IMBM website? Or contact IMBM Research and Innovation Manager, Dr Anita Burger (alburger@uwc.ac.za) or the IMBM Biobank Technical officer, Ms Stephanie Lawrence (slawrence@uwc.ac.za) with formal enquiries. And while you’re at it, why not learn more about what biobanks are (and aren’t) all about?