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Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Humans differ in their personal microbial cloud.

James F Meadow¹, Adam E Altrichter¹, Ashley C Bateman¹

¹Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon , Eugene, OR , USA ; Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon , Eugene, OR , USA.

|September 30, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Humans emit a personalized microbial cloud into the air, detectable within hours. This airborne bacterial signature can even identify individuals, distinguishing occupied from unoccupied spaces.

Keywords:

Built environment Human microbiome Indoor air Indoor microbiology Microbial cloud

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Science
Human Microbiome

Background:

Microbial dispersal between humans and indoor environments occurs via contact and airborne routes.
Airborne microbial release from humans is poorly understood, despite significant particle emission rates.
Previous studies have not demonstrated a detectable, individual-specific microbial cloud from humans.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if humans emit a detectable microbial cloud into surrounding indoor air.
To determine if these airborne microbial clouds are distinct enough for individual occupant identification.
To assess the relationship between airborne microbial emissions and settled particles.

Main Methods:

Utilized high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to analyze airborne bacteria.
Collected air samples from a climate chamber occupied by a single person and an identical unoccupied chamber.
Assessed microbial communities in settled particles to understand the fate of airborne emissions.

Main Results:

Most occupants were detectable by their airborne bacterial emissions within 1.5–4 hours.
Airborne microbial clouds were statistically distinct, enabling identification of some individuals.
Occupied spaces were microbially distinct from unoccupied ones.

Conclusions:

Individuals release a personalized microbial cloud into the surrounding air.
Airborne microbial signatures can differentiate occupied from unoccupied indoor environments.
This finding provides new insights into human-microbe interactions within built environments.