Top Ten Reasons to Choose Microbial Insights

WE ARE A TRUSTED PARTNER

When you work with us, you get more than data. You get peace of mind. That’s why we are a trusted partner to government, industry, academia, and the military. Since 1992, we have been proud to provide our amazing clients with solutions that support a sustainable environment and strengthen the communities that depend on it. Just to name a few, here are some of our clients:

WE PROVIDE PROOF

We understand that one of the greatest challenges in bioremediation is being able to answer the question, Are contaminants actually degrading? Microbial Insights can give you proof that contaminant degradation is happening. We use analytical methods including Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) and Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) to measures the ratio of stable isotopes (e.g., 13C/12C, 2H/1H, or 37Cl/35Cl) of a contaminant, and to track ‘labeled’ contaminants. These tools can provide direct evidence of ongoing contaminant degradation including reductive dechlorination of PCE, TCE, and daughter products.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY INNOVATING

Microbial Insights not only leads the industry with state-of-the-art equipment, we are advancing the field of microbial diagnostics and molecular biological tools. The foundation of our innovation is our active engagement with research and development. From work on metabolomics and proteomics, to the development of new tools to evaluate mineral transformation, we are changing the field to increase the speed and effectiveness of remediation strategies.

WE ARE UNBIASED

We give you the very best data, along with analysis and interpretation. But we’re not trying to sell you cultures of microorganisms. Based on the data from your site, we can help you choose a remediation solution, but we have no ulterior motive. Our only incentive is to help our clients make the best possible choices based on the best possible data.

OUR CLIENTS GET FREE ACCESS TO OUR DATABASE

Still using Google to understand your data? Our clients find that the free Microbial Insights database is a better resource. With over 100,000 samples from sites around the world, our new, improved database adds valuable context to your data. For example, if you are using CENSUS qPCR, our database can help you evaluate the feasibility of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), and assess the need for bioaugmentation.

WE PROVIDE UNPARALLELED EXPERTISE

There is no substitute for experience. Our laboratory personnel have received their doctorates, and are published, recognized experts. Some companies may offer discounted analysis because they subcontract with university laboratories, where the work is actually performed by students. With Microbial Insights, you can rest assured that your samples are in the hands of our dedicated professionals.

WE ARE RELENTLESS AND METICULOUS ABOUT QUALITY ASSURANCE

Our Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures ensure the integrity of the sample results. We perform extraction blanks to test for cross-contamination, and run negative controls with each plate. As with an extraction blank, detection of a target gene in the negative control is direct evidence of contamination and invalidates the sample results. A positive control must also be included with each plate to confirm PCR amplification and as a continuing calibration check. These measures cost money and are often neglected by start-up laboratories — but our clients are worth it. And so is our reputation.

WE PROVIDE SUPERIOR ACCURACY

For over two decades, the primary mission at Microbial Insights has been to provide the most accurate and precise data in the industry to ensure that our clients can use our results as an integral part of site management decisions. As part of our commitment to data quality, MI participated in a federally funded qPCR study where a standard of known Dehalococcoides concentration was sent to academic laboratories, a national laboratory, a North American competitor, and MI for analysis. The MI results were not only extremely accurate but also very precise. Note that the five green datapoints from MI are so close that it is difficult to even tell that results for all five samples are plotted! Furthermore, to ensure accurate results, all DNA and RNA extractions are performed on samples the day they are received – even those delivered on Saturday.

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WE PROVIDE SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

Yes, we are fastidious scientists in white lab coats — but we are also friendly and accessible people. We are proud to provide solutions for our amazing clients… and we are proud of the fantastic feedback we have received! We work with over 4,500 clients from around the world. When asked what words come to mind to describe Microbial Insights, here is what our clients said:

  • Innovative
  • Reliable
  • Service-Oriented
  • Accurate
  • Good Value

WE ARE CERTIFIED

Microbial Insights, Inc. is pleased to announce that our Nucleic Acids Laboratory has been approved for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for qPCR analysis by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Certification # 7157.01.

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is the internationally recognized gold standard because the certification process specifically evaluates each of the key factors that determine a laboratory’s ability to produce highly accurate and precise results.

“We are very excited to announce our ISO accreditation,” said Dora Taggart, President of Microbial Insights. “For 30 years, our mission has been to provide the most accurate, precise and actionable data for evaluating microbial processes from environmental remediation to microbiologically influenced corrosion. The ISO accreditation is further evidence that the commitment to quality at Microbial Insights is hardwired into our DNA.”