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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Skin microbiota variation among Indian monozygotic twins
Renuka Potbhare1, Manjari Jonnalagadda2, Leo Lahti3
1Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Peerj
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Indian skin microbiota composition is influenced by geography, not genetics or diet. This pilot study highlights geographical location
Area of Science:
- Human Microbiome Research
- Genetics and Genomics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Human skin microbiota is influenced by host factors like age, diet, and geography.
- The interplay between host genetics and skin microbiota is understudied in Indian populations.
- Monozygotic twins offer a unique model to study genetic relatedness and environmental influences on microbiota.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between genetic relatedness, environmental variation, and skin microbiota composition in Indian monozygotic twins.
- To explore the impact of geographical location, diet, and gender on skin microbiota diversity.
- To understand the role of host genetics in shaping the skin microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Collected axillary sweat samples from thirteen monozygotic twin pairs (n=26).
- Sequenced the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene using Illumina sequencing.
- Analyzed microbial community composition and diversity using various indices (e.g., Jaccard, Bray-Curtis).
Main Results:
- Firmicutes (Bacillota), Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota), and Actinobacteria (Actinomycetota) were the most prevalent phyla.
- Geographical location significantly associated with skin microbiota beta diversity (Jaccard index).
- Diet and gender showed no significant association with skin microbiota diversity.
Conclusions:
- Geographical location influences skin microbiota composition and diversity in Indian twins.
- Further research with larger cohorts, including dizygotic twins and sibling-parent pairs, is needed.
- This study provides foundational insights into the interplay of genetics, environment, and skin microbiota in India.
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