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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

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

Examining the healthy human microbiome concept.

Raphaela Joos^1,2, Katy Boucher¹, Aonghus Lavelle^1,3

¹APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology

|October 24, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Human microbiomes are vital for health, impacting metabolism, immunity, and neurology. Defining a

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

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Published on: October 15, 2019

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

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Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing

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Published on: March 19, 2018

Area of Science:

Microbiome Research
Human Health
Microbial Ecology

Background:

Human microbiomes play crucial roles in health across the lifespan.
Their functions in metabolic, immunological, and neurological processes are increasingly recognized.
Despite advanced exploitation, a consensus on microbiome research and oversight is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine progress and identify gaps in understanding the human microbiome.
To address the controversial definition of a 'healthy' human microbiome.
To propose a roadmap for advancing microbiome-health relationship research.

Main Methods:

Review of current microbiome research progress and challenges.
Analysis of the complexities in defining a 'healthy' microbiome.
Incorporation of epidemiological approaches and ecological principles.

Main Results:

Significant advancements in microbiome research exist, but key knowledge gaps remain.
Defining a 'healthy' microbiome is complicated by variability and diverse configurations.
A unified definition of a healthy microbiome is challenging to establish.

Conclusions:

Further research is required to fully harness the benefits of the human microbiome.
A roadmap integrating epidemiology and microbial ecology is proposed.
Expanding knowledge of the microbiome-health relationship is critical for future applications.