Microbiome resources

The human microbiome is the collection of microorganisms living in and on the human body that interact with human cells in a variety of ways. When this balanced ecosystem of bacteria is disrupted, the resulting dysbiosis plays a role in colonization and infection with pathogenic organisms. We are able to measure balances and changes in the microbiome in a variety of ways, as seen below.

Qpcr Quantitation of microbiota changes

16S rRNA and shot gun sequencing allows for analysis of diversity changes among treatment groups. To assess quantitative differences in microbiota composition, quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) is used to assess quantities of appropriate bacterial groups (Table 1).

Quantitative measurement of each bacterial group is provided per sample.  Analysis includes comparison of bacterial group median quantities between time points and treatment groups with appropriate statistics.  

Shot Gun Sequencing Analysis

Shot gun sequencing is the most discriminatory microbiome typing method allowing understanding of microbial diversity at the bacterial species level.  Procedures and analysis are similar to 16S rRNA but the deeper sequencing of the entire genome increases sequencing costs.

The fastQ and quality data is provided for each sample. OTU tables are generated for species diversity to the phylum, genera, and species level. Analyses include phylogentic analysis and diversity differences between groups, alpha and beta diversity among groups, and appropriate statistical tests for inference between treatment groups.