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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Community Characterization
Published on: April 14, 2016
Amplicon-based skin microbiome profiles collected by tape stripping with different adhesive film dressings: a
Kazuhiro Ogai1,2, Kana Shibata3, Natsuki Takahashi3
1AI Hospital/Macro Signal Dynamics Research and Development Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan. kazuhiro@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
Background:
Medical film dressings have been used to obtain skin microbiota for skin microbiome studies, although their adhesive force may be so strong that the skin could be injured when applied to those who have fragile skin, such as older people. Several products with less adhesive force are available, although their applicability for skin microbiome studies remains unknown. This study aimed to test whether the dressings with less adhesive force could be used for amplicon-based skin microbiome studies. A set of three different film dressings, with acrylic, urethane, or silicone adhesive, was applied to the back skin of nine healthy young participants. The copy number of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, microbial compositions, and alpha and beta diversity indices were analyzed by amplicon analysis of the 16S rRNA gene using next-generation sequencing and were compared among the three film dressings.
Results:
The dressing with acrylic adhesive yielded the highest copy number of 16S rRNA genes, followed by that with urethane adhesive. The silicone-adhesive dressing yielded a significantly lower copy number of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbial composition of skin microbiota was similar among the three film dressings, although significant differences in the relative abundance of Pseudomonas species and alpha diversity indices were found in the silicone-adhesive dressing. The Bray-Curtis dissimilarity was significantly higher between the acrylic- and silicone-adhesive dressings than between the acrylic- and urethane-adhesive dressings. No adverse effects related to tape stripping were observed for any of the film dressings.
Conclusion:
We recommend dressings with acrylic or urethane adhesive for amplicon-based skin microbiome studies. An acrylic adhesive has an advantage in the yield of skin microbiota, and a urethane adhesive should be chosen when applied to fragile skin. The adhesive force of the dressing with silicone adhesive was too weak to be used for collecting skin microbiota.
Insights
Acrylic or urethane adhesive dressings are recommended for skin microbiome studies. Acrylic dressings yield more skin microbiota, while urethane is suitable for fragile skin, unlike weak silicone dressings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Medical film dressings are used for skin microbiome studies.
- Strong adhesives can injure fragile skin, limiting their use.
- Less adhesive options exist, but their suitability for microbiome studies is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of less adhesive film dressings for amplicon-based skin microbiome studies.
- To compare the performance of acrylic, urethane, and silicone adhesives in collecting skin microbiota.
- To determine optimal dressing choices for skin microbiome research.
Main Methods:
- Three film dressings (acrylic, urethane, silicone adhesive) were applied to participants' skin.
- 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene copy number was quantified.
- Microbial composition, alpha diversity, and beta diversity were analyzed using next-generation sequencing.
Main Results:
- Acrylic adhesive dressings yielded the highest 16S rRNA gene copy number, followed by urethane.
- Silicone adhesive dressings yielded significantly lower microbial yields.
- Microbial composition was similar, but silicone dressings showed altered Pseudomonas abundance and alpha diversity.
Conclusions:
- Dressings with acrylic or urethane adhesive are recommended for amplicon-based skin microbiome studies.
- Acrylic adhesive offers superior microbiota yield; urethane is suitable for fragile skin.
- Silicone adhesive dressings are not recommended due to insufficient adhesive strength for microbiota collection.
