A large part of bacterial, archaeal, viral, and fungal microbial taxa consists of the human microbiome. While many of these microorganisms are commensal, some are harmful to humans and many are symbiotic. Our livelihoods are strongly intertwined with the microbes we allocate our bodies with regardless of whether their appearance is advantageous, insignificant, or harmful. Over the past few years, human microbiome research, defined as the research of the whole DNA component of micro-organisms that reside in our bodies, has grown quickly.
A large part of bacterial, archaeal, viral, and fungal microbial taxa consists of the human microbiome. While many of these microorganisms are commensal, some are harmful to humans and many are symbiotic. Our livelihoods are strongly intertwined with the microbes we allocate our bodies with, regardless of whether their appearance is advantageous, insignificant, or harmful. Over the past few years, human microbiome research, defined as the research of the whole DNA component of micro-organisms that reside in our bodies, has grown quickly.
The emergence of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and the invention of whole metagenome shotgun sequencing (WMGS) as methods to analyze microbial genetic material existing in various human body parts has promoted the discovery of our "microbial-selves." Researchers have sought to determine a taxonomy-based set of core human-associated microorganisms for many years. Nevertheless, a more beneficial strategy includes deciding the main microbial core composition based on functional (metabolic) ability, as it is quicker to compare pathogenesis with variations or modifications (i.e. dysbiosis) in a microbiome "core." Numerous large population-based researches have synthesized the human intestinal microbiome (IM) metagenomes in this aspect, as well as other specific medical body sites, such as the skin, vagina, and mouth.
Microbiome and Precision Medicine
The focus of precision medicine at its early stage was human genetic analysis, mainly on disease-related genes in the human genome. With its development, more attention has been given to genetic testing related to a person's current health status, such as liquid biopsies. In recent years, the human microbiome has been found to reflect the health status of the human body at the level of the internal environment, especially for some chronic diseases. Human microbiome testing is also a thoroughly non-invasive means of testing through feces, and has become exceptionally prevalent in recent years. Human microbiomics, therefore, is likely to be the next hotspot in precision medicine.
Research Achievements of Human Microbiome
In recent years, with the continuous research on the human microbiome, gut microbes have been found to be closely related to a variety of human diseases, including not only digestive tract diseases such as colitis and colon cancer (these digestive tract diseases, flora, and digestive tract are in direct contact), but also metabolic diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes, immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and mental diseases such as depression and anxiety disorders. All of which are closely related to gut flora.
Microbiomics and Biotherapeutics
Microbiome testing can be used to detect microbial changes in different parts of the body, such as the oral cavity, intestinal tract, and skin, monitor the health condition of the body in real-time, and then compare the microbial changes to assist in a person’s decision on his/her food or exercise choice. Some companies provide flora transplantation-related services mainly through collecting some healthy people's feces for hospitals and other institutions in need. The main focus of biotherapeutics is to develop drugs or agents that target the human microbiome.
As one of the leading service providers of human microbial sequencing, CD Genomics can quickly and accurately acquire large amounts of information about human microbial communities through high-throughput sequencing, providing additional insights for academic researchers as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to contribute more to human health.
Dual RNA Sequencing: Study the Events as Bacteria Infecting the Host
RNA sequencing is a prevailing research tool for transcriptomics research, which uses next-generation sequencing technology to provide information about the transcription of an organism rapidly and accurately, revealing the gene expression of an organism. In recent years, the method has become very popular in biological sciences and medical research, and its use is gradually moving towards clinical applications.
Sequencing-Based Methods and Techniques for Microbial Identification
Microbial detection and identification techniques have evolved over time, from conventional methods that are based heavily on culture, morphology, physiology, pathology, and biochemical testing, which are time-consuming and labour-intensive, to advanced mass spectrometry and genetic technologies, which have resulted in the recent surge in microbiology studies.
Fungal Identification by Sequencing: LSU, SSU, and ITS Regions
The mycobiome plays a vital role in processes such as decomposition, symbiosis, and disease progression. Knowing the role of different fungi in these processes is critical to understanding microbial communities and their impacts on environment. In drug discovery, accurate fungal identification unlocks information about species and biochemical properties.
