Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Gut microbiota profiling of the population residing in Friuli-Venezia Giulia through next-generation sequencing
Michela Bulfoni1,2, Maria De Martino3,4, Nicolò Gualandi3
1Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. michela.bulfoni@uniud.it.
Abstract:
The gut microbiota is an ecological community of symbiotic and commensal microorganisms that play crucial roles in nutrient metabolism, maintaining the structural integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, immunomodulation, and pathogen protection. The composition of the gut microbiota varies with age, ethnicity, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Given the microbiota's growing role as a modulator of various physiological and pathological conditions, our study aimed to investigate the genetic profile of the microbiome individuals residing in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. We analyzed fecal swab samples from 109 individuals belonging to a general population cohort. The hypervariable V3-V4 regions of bacterial 16 S rRNA were analyzed using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the MiSeq system (Illumina). The relative abundance of phyla, classes, orders, families, and species was defined using the BaseSpace 16s metagenomics app (Illumina). Firmicutes was the most represented phylum (51.1%), followed by Bacteroidetes (38.3%) and Actinobacteria (3%). At the class level, Clostridia (45.2%) and Bacteroidia (37.7%) were predominant, while Clostridiales (46.9%), Bacteroidales (26.6%), and Anaeroplasmatales (12.6%) were notable orders. Lachnospiraceae (21.9%) and Ruminococcaceae (16.2%) were the most frequent families, with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (10.3%), Bacteroides vulgatus (4.6%), and Bacteroides dorei (3.5%) being prominent species. Each participant's taxa were analyzed to identify genera associated with alterations in gut microbial composition. Significant associations emerged between specific taxa of microorganisms and age, gender, anti-inflammatory drugs, tobacco consumption, and allergies. This study provides valuable insights into gut microbiota composition in a population-based cohort. The characterization of the microbiota in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region lays the foundation for future research into regional variations in microbiota composition and its impact on health.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Large Intestine
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Development of Human Microbiota
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

