Jun 12
Lightning-Fast Gut Microbiome Analysis Opens New Doors for Health and Industry
Breakthrough with MetaMAP
Leuven (Belgium) – A revolution in gut microbiome research is on the horizon. Biotech company Perseus Biomics and hardware developer Comate are launching MetaMAP, a groundbreaking device that can provide a complete and detailed picture of all bacteria in our intestines, including their exact quantities, in six hours and a half. While this was previously a time-consuming and complex endeavor, or only offered a partial snapshot, MetaMAP now makes rapid and comprehensive microbiome analysis accessible to researchers and businesses worldwide.
From Slow Analysis to Blazing-Fast Total Analysis
Perseus Biomics developed smart technology that enables mapping the entire microbiome—the complex community of bacteria in our intestines—in six hours and. a half.
"Each sample reveals a magnificent constellation of microorganisms," says Arno Bouwens, R&D Director at Perseus Biomics. "Just as astronomers explore the universe to unravel its secrets, our technology allows us to investigate the hidden complexity of the microbiome."
Traditional methods for microbiome analysis have until now been either slow and expensive, unraveling every detail of the DNA, or fast but with low resolution, identifying bacteria only in broad strokes. MetaMAP now combines the best of both worlds.
Comate Automates and Compresses Groundbreaking Technology
Comate, an expert in developing and producing innovative hardware for the life science sector, played a crucial role in translating this advanced technology into a practical and scalable product. The result is MetaMAP, a compact device (60x70x50 cm, 60 kg) that automatically performs the entire analysis process.
Sander Van den dries, Director Comate
Arno Bouwens, R&D Director at Perseus Biomics
Sander Van den Dries, founder and Director at Comate, explains: "Imaging DNA across the entire sample surface requires a microscope capable of nanometer-scale positioning. Our engineers fundamentally rethought the positioning mechanism and developed an ingenious method to integrate this technology into a compact and cost-efficient system. The result is a unique, affordable device that precisely meets the needs of Perseus Biomics."
Fluorescent Labels
The development of Perseus Biomics' technology began within the academic world of KU Leuven and EPF Lausanne, after which the company was founded in 2020. The core of the innovation lies in a new approach to DNA analysis. Instead of sequencing DNA letter by letter, Perseus places fluorescent labels on specific DNA segments. This causes the DNA molecules of bacteria to light up, forming unique light patterns for each bacterial species. These patterns are then photographed and deciphered by advanced algorithms to determine the presence and quantity of bacteria.
Game-Changer for Healthcare, Food Industry, and Research
MetaMAP promises to be a breakthrough for a wide range of sectors.
Scientific insights into the crucial role of the gut microbiome in our overall health are increasing exponentially. A disturbed gut flora is increasingly linked to various conditions, from depression to chronic diseases.
"We can now map the complex world of microbes with unprecedented speed and precision. Think of faster diagnoses in healthcare," says Arno Bouwens. “With MetaMAP, researchers can analyze the microbiome faster, more accurately, and more reliably, significantly accelerating the development of targeted treatments and medicines. For example, the microbiome can serve as a prognostic marker for conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and even predict the success of cancer treatments.”
MetaMAP also offers numerous possibilities in the food and supplement industries. Bacteria play a key role in the production of various food products. The device can be used for detailed quality controls during the production process of, for example, beer, yogurt, and sourdough, and to accurately map the impact of food products on our well-being.
Significant Growth Potential
The automation of the analysis process by MetaMAP results in significant time savings and reduces the need for manual operations in laboratories. The device can analyze up to eight samples simultaneously, and the number of bacterial species that can be identified is virtually unlimited. This potentially leads to higher productivity and lower operational costs for users.
"The fact that this advanced technology from Perseus Biomics is now globally available through an integrated and compact device proves that we have succeeded in translating fundamental research into a successful market introduction. That is our definition of true innovation," emphasizes Sander Van den Dries.
The global market for microbiome profiling and sequencing is a dynamic sector with significant growth potential. In 2024, the market is estimated to be approximately 1.6 billion euros and is expected to grow to 3.2 billion euros by 2028. Although the market is currently dominated by biotics developers and the food industry, the largest growth in the coming years is expected in clinical applications and drug development.
Direct Impact
MetaMAP can have a direct positive impact on various population groups. It enables fast and cost-efficient microbiome analyses for personalized dietary advice for the broad consumer market, offers athletes quick insights into their microbiome for optimized training strategies, and is crucial in acute health situations where rapid diagnoses and prognoses can save lives.
Concrete examples in healthcare include the use of the microbiome as a prognostic marker for IBD and cancer patients, and the application of fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) for athletes and patients with Clostridium difficile infections.
"Our name, Perseus Biomics, inspired by the Perseids, and our references to constellations symbolize the still largely undiscovered nature of the microbiome—a fascinating world full of potential that we are mapping with this technology," concludes Arno Bouwens.
With the launch of MetaMAP, Perseus Biomics and Comate are taking an important step in unlocking this potential for a healthier future and more efficient industrial processes.
About Comate
Comate is a Belgian developer and manufacturer of innovative hardware for large companies, universities, and startups. With a team of 90 engineers, designers, and product developers, Comate operates from Ghent and Leuven, developing reliable, high-tech products in sectors such as healthcare and industrial automation. The company develops cutting-edge, reliable hardware from concept to final product by combining its top-tier expertise in engineering and product development with the knowledge of its clients.
This has resulted in over 800 impactful products that are used worldwide and have received multiple awards. Comate is one of the driving forces behind several high-tech success stories, including zoals miDiagnostics, Onward, Bekaert, PerseusBiomics, Ngrave, Bright Energy, and Trince. The company is led by Director Sander Van den Dries and CEO Stefaan Motte and was named Flemish SME of the Year in 2019. Additionally, Comate was featured in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for four consecutive years. In 2021, Comate founded the pre-seed investment fund Comate Ventures together with Alychlo NV, the investment company of entrepreneur Marc Coucke. Through this fund, they aim to provide financial support to companies with high-tech, innovative ideas.
For more information, visit www.comate.be
About Perseus Biomics: Pioneering Precision in Metagenomics
Perseus Biomics is a Belgian biotechnology company advancing precision microbiome analysis through its proprietary technology, DynaMAP™. Developed from research at KU Leuven, DynaMAP™ delivers strain-level microbiome data without the need for sequencing. The unbiased approach enables reproducible profiling across research, clinical, consumer, and industrial applications. With versatile lab-based and benchtop device solutions, Perseus Biomics empowers laboratories of all sizes to independently access powerful microbiome insights.
Under the leadership of CEO Walid Hanna, Perseus Biomics has garnered significant recognition and support, notably from ZEISS Ventures and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. In 2025, Perseus was named a Probiota Pioneers Winner, highlighting its pioneering position in advancing microbiome technologies across nutrition, pre- and probiotics.
Committed to setting a new standard for microbiome data, Perseus Biomics continues to expand the possibilities for scientific discovery—one sample at a time. For more information, visit perseusbiomics.com or follow Perseus Biomics on LinkedIn.
