MetaPlat · Project

Software Platform That Reads Cattle Gut Bacteria to Cut Methane and Boost Feed Efficiency

foodPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine you could read the recipe book inside a cow's stomach — billions of microbes that decide how well the animal digests food and how much methane it burps out. Right now, farmers and feed companies collect mountains of genetic data from these microbes but only scratch the surface of what it means. MetaPlat built a faster, easier-to-use computer platform that crunches all that data using machine learning, so you actually get clear answers: which probiotics work, which cattle convert feed best, and where methane can be reduced.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries involved (DE, IE, IT, UK)

EUR 648,000

EU contribution

project deliverables

SME industry partner (NSilico)

20%

industry participation ratio

The business problem

What needed solving

Livestock and feed companies collect huge amounts of genetic data from cattle gut microbiomes but lack the tools to actually make sense of it. Current analysis is superficial, slow, and requires specialist bioinformatics skills — meaning expensive data goes underused while feed optimization and methane reduction decisions are made on guesswork rather than evidence.

The solution

What was built

An integrated hardware and software platform for rapid metagenomics analysis, using machine learning to classify microbial sequences. NSilico (the industry SME) demonstrated the working software platform. The project produced 13 deliverables including classification algorithms, statistical visualization tools, and platform integration components.

Audience

Who needs this

Livestock probiotic supplement manufacturers needing evidence of product efficacyLarge dairy and beef operations looking to optimize feed conversionAgTech startups building microbiome-based diagnostics for livestockAnimal nutrition consulting firms advising on herd healthMethane reduction technology companies targeting agricultural emissions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Animal Feed & Probiotics

SME

Target: Probiotic supplement manufacturers for livestock

If you are a livestock probiotic company struggling to prove which supplements actually improve cattle digestion — this project developed a metagenomics analysis platform that links specific gut microbe changes to probiotic supplement performance. Instead of months of trial-and-error feeding tests, you get data-driven evidence of what works. The platform was built across a 5-partner consortium spanning 4 countries with direct industry involvement.

Dairy & Beef Production

enterprise

Target: Large-scale cattle farms and dairy cooperatives

If you are a cattle operation spending heavily on feed with inconsistent weight gain and milk yield — this project built software that analyzes gut microbiome data to identify which animals convert feed most efficiently. Understanding the microbial makeup of your herd could help you optimize feeding strategies and reduce waste. The platform also provides statistical and visual representations designed for non-specialists.

Agricultural Biotech & Diagnostics

SME

Target: AgTech companies developing microbiome-based livestock diagnostics

If you are an AgTech company looking to build microbiome testing services for farmers but lack the bioinformatics backbone — this project created an integrated hardware and software platform for rapid metagenomic analysis with machine learning classification algorithms. The platform classifies previously unclassified microbial sequences, opening up new diagnostic product possibilities. NSilico, the industry partner, demonstrated a working software platform.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or access this platform?

The project was funded with EUR 648,000 under the MSCA-RISE scheme, which focuses on knowledge exchange rather than commercialization. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium, likely through the University of Ulster or NSilico (the industry partner that demonstrated the software). Based on available project data, no commercial pricing has been published.

Can this work at industrial scale for large herds?

The platform was designed for rapid analysis of large metagenomic datasets and includes real-time or time-efficient comparison analyses. However, MSCA-RISE projects focus on researcher exchange and training rather than industrial deployment, so scaling to thousands of animals would likely require further engineering and validation beyond what was done in this project.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP is shared among the 5 consortium partners across 4 countries (DE, IE, IT, UK), governed by the Horizon 2020 grant agreement. NSilico, the SME partner, demonstrated the software platform, suggesting they hold key commercial rights to the software component. Specific licensing arrangements would need to be confirmed with the coordinator at the University of Ulster.

Does this platform handle regulatory requirements for livestock feed claims?

The platform provides data analysis and visualization — it generates evidence about microbiome changes under various conditions, but it is not itself a regulatory submission tool. Feed and probiotic companies would still need to package the insights into the format required by food safety authorities. The analytical rigor could strengthen regulatory dossiers.

How long would integration into our existing systems take?

The project delivered 13 deliverables including software platform integration as a core objective. The platform combines hardware and software components with statistical and visual output tools. Based on available project data, integration timelines were not specified, but the explicit goal was to make the platform easy-to-use for agricultural scientists, not just bioinformaticians.

Is there ongoing support or development after the project ended in 2019?

The project closed in November 2019. Ongoing development would depend on whether the consortium partners — particularly NSilico as the commercial partner — continued work independently. The project website (metaplat.eu) and direct contact with the University of Ulster would clarify current status.

Consortium

Who built it

The MetaPlat consortium is compact — 5 partners across 4 countries (DE, IE, IT, UK) with 3 universities, 1 research organization, and 1 industry partner. The 20% industry ratio is modest, with NSilico as the sole SME responsible for demonstrating the commercial software platform. The University of Ulster leads the project. For a business considering this technology, the key contact would be NSilico for the software side and the University of Ulster for the underlying science. The MSCA-RISE funding mechanism means the consortium was optimized for knowledge exchange and researcher mobility rather than market-ready product development, so expect prototype-level technology that needs further investment to commercialize.

UNIVERSITY OF ULSTERCoordinator · UK
FTK-FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR TELEKOMMUNIKATION UND KOOPERATION EVparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO IIparticipant · IT
SRUCparticipant · UK
NSILICO LIFE SCIENCE LIMITEDparticipant · IE

How to reach the team

University of Ulster (UK) — reach out through their research office or directly to the agricultural sciences / bioinformatics department

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how MetaPlat's gut microbiome analysis platform could fit your livestock or feed business? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team and help evaluate commercial licensing options.

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