Gene quantification is a well-established technology for quantifying the abundance of a specific DNA sequence. Traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) simply generates a pool of copies of a DNA sequence, however, the size of the pool does not reflect the quantity of the starting material. To achieve this, the amplification of the DNA sequence needs to monitored as the reaction progresses (ie. in real-time) to enable quantification.

At Novorem we use a Biorad Real Time technology platform to monitor the amplification of DNA sequences in PCRs enabling accurate quantification of specific sequences in environmental samples. Results are reported as gene copies per unit volume (L) or mass (g) of groundwater or sediment samples respectively. This is a mainstay of Novorem’s services. High quality diagnostics for bioremediation practitioners.

Community Profiling

Get a snapshot of the entire community of microbes present at your site and in your soil or groundwater.

Enzyme Assays

Learn how easy it will be to bioremediate your site — test the microbial biomass and oxidative ability of your microbial community.

Microbial Diagnostics on Total Microbial Monitoring

Product ID Target Description
Novo-Eub Total bacteria Bacteria are involved in important terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical cycles in the environment and are the major players in biodegradation of various types of contaminants in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. High abundance of bacteria indicates the likelihood of bacterial bioremediation in the contaminated site. Bacterial abundance can also be used as a measure of toxicity where in a clean soil and groundwater, the average bacterial abundance is 108 and 106 copy numbers per gram and ml, respectively.
Novo-Arch Total archaea Archaea collaborate with bacteria for biodegradation of contaminants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogenous compounds. Archaea are extremophiles that can survive in extreme conditions such as hypersaline, high temperature and pH, which bring them a unique advantage to grow in conditions in which bacteria may not survive.
Novo-mcrA Methanogens Methanogens belong to domain archaea. They grow anaerobically and are involved in anaerobic biodegradation of chlorinated compounds and hydrocarbons. Methanogens also have an indispensable role in anaerobic wastewater treatment for biomethane production and biodegradation of organic pollutants.
Novo-ITS Total Fungi Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that inhabit both terrestrial and marine environments and are highly tolerant to environmental pollutants. Fungi can employ a wide range of enzymes such as laccases, cellulases, oxidases and oxygenases to break down toxic compounds and recalcitrant pollutants including PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, textile dyes and organic pollutants. Quantification of fungal abundance would assist to understand the presence of mycoremediation (fungal bioremediation) in a contaminated site.

Microbial Diagnostics on Sites Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents

Product ID Target Description
Novo-DHC Dehalococcoides Dehalococcides (DHC) is a strictly anaerobic genus playing a key role in dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes (PCE, TCE, cis-DCE, VC). Some of the DHC species (e.g. Dehalococcoides mccartyi) are significant due to their capability of complete dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes including cis-1,2-DCE and vinyl chloride to environmentally benign ethene.
Novo-DHB Dehalobacter Dehalobacter (DHB) is a strictly anaerobic genus which are capable of dichlorination of chlorinated ethenes (PCE and TCE), chlorinated ethanes (1,1,1-TCA, 1,2-DCA), chlorinated methanes (chloroform and dichloromethane). Some of the DHB strains are also involved in reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated aromatics such as chlorobenzene and polychlorinated biphenyl.
Novo-DSB Desulfitobacterium Desulfitobacterium species are strictly anaerobic and capable of reductive dehalogenation of a variety of chlorinated compounds including PCE, TCE, carbon tetra chloride (CTC), 1,2-DCA, chlorophenols and chlorobenzoate.
Novo-DHG Dehalogenimonas Dehalogenimonas species are strictly anaerobic and capable of reductive dehalogenation of a variety of chlorinated compounds including PCE, TCE, 1,2-cisDCE, VC, 1,2-DCA, 1,2-DCP, and 1,1,2-TCA.
Novo-SRB Sulfate-reducing bacteria Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are ubiquitous in environment and they are the major players involved in microbial influenced corrosion on metal surfaces (oil and gas pipelines, metal bolts, sewage treatment plants, etc.) which may result in loss of billions of dollars in relevant industries.

Sulfate-reducing conditions facilitate the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons as well as chloroform (CF) and carbon tetrachloride (CT).
Novo-DCA Desulfitobacterium sp. (AUSDCA) Desulfitobacterium sp. strain AusDCA is enriched by Novorem for complete dechlorination of 1,2-DCA to Ethane. The specific abundance of AusDCA can be monitored in bioaugmented wells.
Novo-vcrA Vinyl chloride reductase VcrA is a functional gene amplified by DHC to catalyse reductive dechlorination of VC and all DCE isomers to ethene.
Novo-BvcA Vinyl chloride reductase BvcA is a functional gene amplified by DHC to catalyse reductive dechlorination of VC to ethene.
Novo-tceA Trichloroethene reductase TceA is a functional gene amplified by DHC to catalyse reductive dechlorination of TCE to VC.

Microbial Diagnosis in Sites Contaminated with Nitrogenous Compounds

Product ID Target Description
Novo-AOB Ammonia oxidising bacteria Autotrophic ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) capable of oxidising ammonia to nitrite and/or nitrate. AOB plays key role in ammonia oxidation in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Novo-NOB Nitrobacter Nitrobacter is the most common nitrite-oxidising genus which can be found in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Nitrobacter species are specialized in oxidation of nitrite to nitrate.
Novo-Bac-AmoA Bacterial ammonia monooxygenase Ammonia monooxygenase is bacterial nitrifying gene catalysing ammonia oxidation to nitrite.
Novo-Arch-AmoA Archaeal ammonia monooxygenase Ammonia monooxygenase is an archaeal nitrifying gene catalysing ammonia oxidation to nitrite.
Novo-NirK Nitrite reductase Nitrite reductase is a key denitrifying gene amplified by aerobic denitrifying bacteria to catalyse nitrite reduction to nitric oxide. Some of the aerobic denitrifying bacteria grow facultatively and are involved in denitrification of nitrate and nitrite in anoxic conditions
Novo-NirS Nitrite reductase Another key denitrifying gene amplified by ammonia oxidising bacteria to catalyse nitrite reduction to nitric oxide. NirS is functionally similar to NirK. Aerobic denitrifying bacteria carry either NirS or NirK gene.
Novo-NxrB Nitrite oxidoreductase NxrB is a key nitrifying gene catalysing oxidation of nitrite to nitrate amplified by Nitrobacter species.
Novo-NapA Nitrate reductase Nitrate reductase is a key denitrifying gene amplified by heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria to catalyse reduction of nitrate to nitrite under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Nitrate reduction to nitrite can be followed up by further reduction of nitrite to nitrous oxide or dinitrogen through denitrification pathway.
Novo-HaoA Hydroxyl amine oxidase HaoA gene is amplified by heterotrophic nitrifying bacteria to catalyse oxidation of hydroxyl amine to nitrite.
Novo-NorB Nitric oxide reductase NorB gene is amplified by heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria to catalyse reduction of nitric oxide to nitrous oxide.
Novo-NosZ Nitrous oxide reductase NosZ gene is amplified by heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria to catalyse reduction of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is known as a greenhouse gas and anthropogenic activities (e.g. agriculture, wastewater treatment) is the primary source of its accumulation in atmosphere. Bacterial removal of N2O is an environmentally important process to reduce the emission of N2O.