The science of probiotics demands precision. In collaboration with leading scientists and research partners from around the world, we develop research-backed probiotics for outcomes across gastrointestinal, dermatological, oral, pediatric, and nutritional health.

For humans, by science.

Our process starts with microbial strain validation through biofermentation, stabilization, scale-up, and clinical research.

01

Strains

Seed_Approach_Strains_Desktop
Fig.1 - Relative abundance by shotgun metagenomic sequencing for DS-01®
Seed_Approach_Strains_Mobile
Fig.1 - Density plot of live microbial cells in DS-01®

Probiotic Strain Validation

Our strain bank consists of probiotic strains with extensive mechanistic and clinical data generated at academic institutions and research partners around the world—including Italy, Spain, Belgium, US, and Japan. Our strains are deposited in the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Research-Derived Dosage

We select our strains based on robust clinical and mechanistic research, and preserve the biologically active dose of each strain in our product. Further, we ensure that the full dosage of live and active bacteria is delivered at or above label claim throughout the entire shelf life and under even the most destructive shipping temperatures.

02

Biofermentation

Biofermentation

This—a metabolic process used by bacteria to generate energy for cell growth and multiplication—is how we culture our probiotic strains. Bacteria are sensitive. They must be cultured with care to ensure viability. We optimize biofermentation conditions for pH, strain purity, temperature, and 28 other factors.

03

Validation

Flow Cytometry

During this process, cells are selectively tagged with fluorescent "markers" and counted by a laser as they pass through a tube. In testing for AFU (Active Fluorescent Units), flow cytometry is used to calculate a more precise measurement of all viable, injured, and dead probiotic cells, including ones that are efficacious but not necessarily culturable (and therefore, would not be counted in a traditional plated colony forming units (CFU) measurement—what you’re probably used to seeing on probiotics labels).

Whole-Genome Sequencing

Our probiotics are among the first to undergo end-to-end, whole-genome testing—the application of nanopore and shotgun sequencing of microbial DNA to genetically validate each strain and species.

Clinical Research

We partner with leading academic research institutions and notable Primary Investigators to validate our rationally-designed probiotic formulations through double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Our human clinical work, in combination with strain-specific clinical research and our in vitro data generation, allows us to identify novel endpoints and benefits for human health, while contributing advancements to the fields of microbiome and probiotic science.

04

SHIME®

Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®)

Bacteria are fragile; they’re sensitive to heat, oxygen, light, water, and they don’t do well without protection from stomach acids or bile. With this in mind, we test our products in SHIME®, the closest system developed to model human digestion and the gut.

Fig. 3 — To evaluate the survival of our probiotics, we use a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®)
Fig. 3 — To evaluate the survival of our probiotics, we use a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®)—the closest system developed to model digestion and the gut. It recreates the physiological conditions and biological processes (food uptake, peristalsis, digestive enzymes, bile acids, and time spent in each step) representative of the human gastrointestinal tract.

Fig. 3 — To evaluate the survival of our probiotics, we use a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®)—the closest system developed to model digestion and the gut. It recreates the physiological conditions and biological processes (food uptake, peristalsis, digestive enzymes, bile acids, and time spent in each step) representative of the human gastrointestinal tract.

05

Testing

Our Products

Our products are tested and verified free of all 14 classes of allergens according to EFSA, and Seed abides by and adheres to the stringent requirements established by CA Prop 65, or "The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986".

With 50+ quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) checkpoints, we monitor purity under both US and European protocols (including cGMP + HACCP) throughout the production cycle with no skip-lot testing. Our fermentation culture media do not contain any animal tissue or biological material. 

We go beyond what’s required for regulations enforced by the US Food and Drug Administration; we also adhere to global quality standards outlined by Japan’s Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Our Scientists

Our Scientific Board consists of scientists, researchers, doctors, and authors across the fields of microbiology, immunology, genetics, metabolomics, gastroenterology, pediatrics, molecular biology, and transcriptomics—including primary investigators from the NIH’s Human Microbiome Project. They lead labs, teach at world-renowned academic institutions, and have among them 2800+ publications and over 140,000 citations in peer-reviewed scientific journals and textbooks.

Gregor Reid, PhD, MBA

Gregor Reid, PhD, MBA

Scientific Board Member
Jacques Ravel, PhD

Jacques Ravel, PhD

Co-Chair, Scientific Advisory Board
George Church, PhD

George Church, PhD

Co-Director of SeedLabs
Belinda Tan, MD, PhD

Belinda Tan, MD, PhD

Scientific Advisor
James Versalovic, MD, PhD

James Versalovic, MD, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Janet Jansson, PhD

Janet Jansson, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Joseph Petrosino, PhD

Joseph Petrosino, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Martin J. Blaser, MD

Martin J. Blaser, MD

Scientific Advisor
Shruti Naik, PhD

Shruti Naik, PhD

Scientific Advisor
John Ryals, PhD

John Ryals, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Maurizio Fava, MD

Maurizio Fava, MD

Scientific Advisor
Alessio Fasano, MD

Alessio Fasano, MD

Scientific Advisor
Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD

Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Sarkis Mazmanian, PhD

Sarkis Mazmanian, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Jan Claesen, PhD

Jan Claesen, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, PhD

Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Christopher Mason PhD

Christopher Mason PhD

Scientific Advisor
Azza Gadir, PhD

Azza Gadir, PhD

Scientific Advisor
Geoffrey Preidis, MD, PhD

Geoffrey Preidis, MD, PhD

Scientific Advisor

Microbes for the future, and for our Earth. 

As the earliest inhabitants of this planet, microbes hold immense potential for our future. Beyond their impact as consumer probiotics, their applications range from living medicines that transform how we prevent and treat disease to environmental interventions that will address some of the most pressing challenges facing our collective home.

Learn about SeedLabs

Explore DS-01® Daily Synbiotic

Approach
Overview
Overview
Strains
Biofermentation
Validation
SHIME®
Testing (PDS08 Enabled)
Our Scientists
Seedlabs