Qiagen Partners with McGill University to Strengthen Microbiome Research in North America

This partnership will support advancements in microbiome science by focusing on core research areas, such as DNA extraction from low-microbial samples and protocols for culturing anaerobic microorganisms.

Qiagen, a Netherlands-based leader in molecular and genetic research tools, has entered a three-year collaboration with the McGill University Center for Microbiome Research.

This partnership will support advancements in microbiome science by focusing on core research areas, such as DNA extraction from low-microbial samples and protocols for culturing anaerobic microorganisms.

Microbiome science studies the collective community of microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses—that exist within ecosystems, including the human body. The Qiagen-McGill partnership aims to deepen understanding in this field, particularly how microbial communities impact human health and ecological systems.

In support of these research objectives, Qiagen will provide the McGill Centre with specialized reagents and products for genomic workflows alongside joint research initiatives to evaluate Qiagen’s tools for microbiome analysis.

Additionally, the McGill Center will be a beta-testing site for Qiagen’s upcoming products, helping refine tools for broader microbiome research applications.

Focus on Advancing Research & Training in Canada

Qiagen views this collaboration as an opportunity to increase its presence in the growing North American microbiome research market, valued at approximately $1.8 billion. Nitin Sood, senior vice president of Qiagen’s life sciences business, highlighted the partnership’s role in addressing scientific needs.

“Partnering with McGill University, a leading institution known for its outstanding research and educational programs, underscores our commitment to advancing microbiome research,” he said.

Dr Corinne Maurice, co-director of the McGill Centre for Microbiome Research, also emphasized the collaboration’s potential in addressing microbial science’s complex questions.

“Microbial communities are central to the functioning of every known ecosystem, including the human body. Yet, we are only scratching the surface of understanding how these abundant, incredibly diverse, and dynamic communities impact human health and ecosystems at large. This exciting partnership with Qiagen will help us provide the tools and approaches to microbiome researchers at McGill University and from all around the province of Quebec to keep pushing the boundaries of our knowledge,” Maurice stated.

Expanding Access to Research Tools & Expertise

Through this collaboration, the McGill Center for Microbiome Research will enhance its experimental platforms for broader research applications, ultimately broadening access to microbiome studies in Canada. The Center operates two primary research platforms: the Gnotobiotic Animal Research Platform, which investigates microbial impacts on health, and the Microbial Services Platform, which specializes in microbial sample processing and anaerobic culturing for microbial identification.

McGill University recognized as a leading institution in medical research, will leverage Qiagen’s resources to explore microbial relationships and develop innovative diagnostic strategies that could inform future health treatments. As a secondary objective, the Center will train new researchers in microbiome science, providing Quebec and Canadian institutions with a trained workforce equipped to advance scientific understanding.