BETHLEHEM, PA. — OraSure Technologies, a provider of point-of-care and home diagnostic testing solutions, recently announced a new collaboration with Mars Petcare’s Biobank project. OraSure’s subsidiary, Diversigen, Inc. will work with MARS PETCARE BIOBANK™ to improve pet care through microbiome analysis.

“This collaboration will utilize Diversigen’s specialized metagenomics service that uses curated databases to improve sample analysis,” said Kathleen Weber, president of molecular solutions at OraSure. “Our team of expert scientists and bioinformaticians will help researchers involved in the project improve the understanding of canine and feline microbial community composition and function.”

Diversigen offers consultative solutions for the extraction, sequencing and analysis of microbiome studies. As part of the collaboration, Diversigen will sequence microbiome samples collected from Mars’ Biobank and analyze the DNA of microorganisms within the samples.

Using Diversigen’s analyses, Mars Petcare will develop insights about cat and dog microbiomes over time, forming a better understanding of pet health and disease.

“Diversigen’s unique capabilities to evaluate the microbiome with precision and consistency made them an ideal partner for this study,” said Darren Logan, head of research at Mars Petcare’s Waltham Petcare Science Institute. “We believe this type of research will ultimately play an important part in scientific discovery aimed at improving pet health.”

Mars Petcare launched its Biobank project in June 2022 and later built upon the project with its new Science & Diagnostics division, which the company established in July.

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