Protocol for microbial profiling of low-biomass upper respiratory tract samples

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• The upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota influences respiratory health and disease.
• URT samples are characterized by low bacterial biomass, posing analytical challenges.
• Understanding URT microbial communities is crucial for diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a standardized protocol for microbial profiling of low-biomass URT samples.
• To enable accurate characterization of the URT microbiome.
• To facilitate research into the role of the URT microbiota in respiratory health.

Main Methods:

• Collection and storage of URT samples.
• DNA extraction from low-biomass specimens.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform.
• Bioinformatic analysis for microbial community profiling.

Main Results:

• A robust protocol for URT microbial profiling was established.
• The protocol allows for detailed characterization of microbial communities in low-biomass samples.
• Successful application of the protocol enables identification of key microbial taxa.

Conclusions:

• This protocol provides a reliable method for studying the URT microbiome.
• It supports further investigation into the URT microbiota's role in respiratory health and disease.
• Standardized methods are essential for reproducible microbiome research.