History

2022 – The Laboratory expanded its range of services to the area of Viticulture & Enology, due to the integration of the Genomics Laboratory with over 15 years of experience in this field.

Viticulture and Enology_Services.pdf

• Identification of grapevine varieties (DNA analysis);
• Identification of trunk diseases;
• Detection and identification of viruses in grapevines;
• Detection of Flavescence Dorée and Bois Noir;
• Monitoring of microflora (Yeasts, Acetic Bacteria and Lactic Bacteria) throughout fermentation;
• Detection of fungi (cork stoppers and other locations/equipment);
• Microbiological control of winery ambient air;
• Microbiological control of winery mains water and equipment rinsing water;
• Microbiological control of materials and equipment used in bottling.

2021 – The Laboratory validated new methodologies for detecting SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and in air samples, becoming, to date, the first test to be commercialized in Portugal in this area. These new COVID-19 detection tools help prevent new outbreaks and their transmission.

2020 – The beginning of this year was marked by the profound loss of Professor Milton Simões da Costa, Founder and Emeritus Director of the Microbiology Laboratory, leader of the Microbiology of Extreme Environments group at CNC and Full Professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra. His enormous contribution to Science is recognized in Portugal and beyond.

Tribute to Milton S. da Costa (22 February 1948 – 7 January 2020)

Also in this year, due to the global pandemic situation, Biocant – Association for Technology Transfer and Biocant R&D, LDA, in consortium, submitted a co-funded project to find new tools for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, which was approved

Project reference: “CENTRO-01-02B7-FEDER-070305”.

2019 – The Laboratory began conducting environmental and process control analyzes at cannabis cultivation and processing facilities, as well as in the Clinical Trials sector.

2018 to 2015 – We strengthened the team and signed a contract with a transport company in order to satisfactorily meet the needs of our customers nationwide.

2014 – Legionella risk assessment in water systems and microbiological (viable particles) assessments of air and surface quality.

2013 – Began providing auditing services to external laboratories according to the NP EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

From 2013 to 2011 – The Unit conducted several theoretical and laboratory courses in its various areas of activity at the Biocant Park facilities, including:

• Análises Microbiológicas de Águas (Água de Consumo Humano, Mineral Natural e de Nascente, Mineral Natural nos Estabelecimentos Termais, Piscinas e Outros Recintos Aquáticos);
• Análises Microbiológicas de Águas Superficiais, Balneares e Residuais (Pesquisa e Quantificação de Coliformes Totais, Coliformes Fecais, Escherichia coli e Enterococos Pesquisa de Salmonella);
• Pesquisa, Quantificação e Identificação de Legionella (ISO 11731:1998 e ISO 11731-2:2004);
• Análise Microbiológica de Alimentos e Produtos Alimentares (Contagem de Microrganismos a 30 ºC; Contagem de Coliformes; Contagem de Escherichia coli; Contagem de Enterobacteriaceae;
• Contagem de Estafilococos Coagulase Positiva; Contagem de Clostridium perfringens; Contagem de Bolores e Leveduras);
• Análise Microbiológica de Bactérias Patogénicas em Alimentos (Pesquisa e Contagem de Listeria monocytogenes, Pesquisa de Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus e Campylobacter spp.);
• Controlo Microbiológico de Ar, Superfícies e Manipuladores;
• Controlo Ambiental do Ar (Qualidade do Ar Interior e Salas Limpas);
• Deteção de Microrganismos por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular;
• Pesquisa de Microrganismos por Técnicas de ELISA.

2009 – IPAC granted an extension of accreditation for biological products, environmental samples, and composting.

2008 – IPAC granted an extension of accreditation for 8 microbiological parameters in the food sector.

2007 – The laboratory was deemed suitable for controlling the quality of water intended for human consumption by the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority, I.P. (ERSAR, I.P.), which in 2014 became known as the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority, abbreviated as ERSAR.

2006 – Implemented analytical methods for microbiological control in the food, environmental, and organic products sectors.

2005 – In December 2005, the Laboratory transferred its activities from the University of Coimbra to Biocant Park. The new facilities allowed the laboratory to begin providing services in new areas.

2003 – The Laboratory began the accreditation process according to NP EN ISO/IEC 17025 for various microbiological parameters in the area of ​​water, and in 2005 obtained accreditation from the Portuguese Institute for Quality (currently called the Portuguese Accreditation Institute, IPAC).

Start of Activity – The Microbiology Laboratory began its activity within the University of Coimbra more than 35 years ago. Of note is the research developed in the area of ​​microbial biodiversity of deep aquifers, the identification and preservation of microorganisms of multiple origins, and the discovery of microorganisms from extreme environments, namely thermal environments and abyssal hypersaline environments with biotechnological potential. Also noteworthy is the development of analytical methods for the detection and identification of Legionella spp., as well as disinfection and eradication methodologies for these and other microbial groups.

Durante os vários anos de investigação foram estabelecidas parcerias com diversas empresas de engarrafamento de águas minerais e termais e, a pedidos destas, foram iniciadas actividades na área de controlo microbiológico.