Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods01:23

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods

2.1K
Direct methods for measuring microbial populations in a culture are essential tools in microbiology, providing quantitative data for various applications. Among these, microscopic counts, plate counts, and serial dilution are widely used techniques, each with unique principles and applications.Microscopic CountsMicroscopic counting involves the use of a Petroff-Hausser chamber, a specialized microscope slide with a grid and defined depth. By observing a liquid culture under a microscope,...
2.1K
Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test01:30

Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test

971
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
971

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A syntenic pangenome of Gardnerella reveals novel plasmids and phage, taxonomic boundaries, and species-level stratification of metabolic and virulence potential.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Brain health and the gut microbiome (bMicrobiome Study): a proof-of-concept, feasibility study integrating shotgun metagenomics, metrology, and multidimensional phenotyping across the cognitive aging spectrum.

Gut microbes reports·2026
Same author

Exposure to Antibiotics Modifies the Immune Profiles of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles from Common Vaginal Anaerobes.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A microphysiologic human cervical model recapitulates microbial, immune, and pathogenic properties of sexually transmitted infections.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Pathological phimosis is associated with foreskin immune cell infiltration but not microbiota composition.

mSphere·2026
Same author

Faecal microbiota transplant for chronic norovirus infection: a case report of donor microbiota engraftment without clinical success.

Gastroenterology report·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

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

Published on: October 15, 2019

31.3K

Evaluating the analytical performance of direct-to-consumer gut microbiome testing services.

Stephanie L Servetas1, Kristine S Gierz2, Diane Hoffmann3

  • 1Complex Microbial Systems Group, Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, USA. stephanie.servetas@nist.gov.

Communications Biology
|February 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) microbiome tests show significant inconsistencies in gut health analysis. Methodological variability and poor quality control undermine the reliability of these popular health and wellness products.

More Related Videos

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
07:21

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: August 25, 2018

13.6K
Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
08:05

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

Published on: March 19, 2018

20.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

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

Published on: October 15, 2019

31.3K
Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
07:21

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: August 25, 2018

13.6K
Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
08:05

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

Published on: March 19, 2018

20.7K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Consumer health products
  • Analytical chemistry

Background:

  • Growing consumer interest in personal microbiome health.
  • Proliferation of direct-to-consumer (DTC) microbiome testing services.
  • Uncertainty regarding the analytical validity, clinical validity, and safety of DTC tests.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of DTC gut microbiome testing services.
  • To identify discrepancies in results within and across providers.
  • To highlight the need for industry standards.

Main Methods:

  • Performance evaluation of seven DTC gut microbiome testing services.
  • Utilized standardized human fecal material developed by NIST.
  • Assessed analytical validity and methodological variability.

Main Results:

  • Major discrepancies observed within and across different DTC microbiome testing providers.
  • Variability between providers was comparable to biological variability between donors.
  • Identified methodological variability and insufficient quality control as key issues.

Conclusions:

  • Analytical performance is crucial for reliable clinical recommendations.
  • Current DTC microbiome tests exhibit significant variability, impacting consumer confidence.
  • There is a critical need for established standards to ensure analytical validity and consumer safety in the microbiome testing industry.