Discovering new connections
As science continues to discover new connections between the gut microbiome and overall health, it becomes increasingly important to consider the role of microbiome testing in clinical practice.
One of the simplest ways to grow your understanding is through the myBIOME Program. This program is designed for healthcare professionals and provides a high-level overview of the gut microbiome. It also provides exclusive access to support from Microba's specialist healthcare team and the latest resources on the gut microbiome.
Scientific evidence
myBIOME performs an analysis of the gut microbiome by metagenomic sequencing. Through NGS technology (Next-Generation Sequencing), the entire genetic material (DNA) from the microbial communities that reside in the intestine is sequenced, thus allowing the study of collective genomes and obtaining sequences of all the microorganisms that make up the intestinal ecosystem.
What does gut microbiome analysis tell you?
As a healthcare professional, you understand the power of information and the value of testing to better
discern what is going on with your patient. myBIOME gut microbiome analysis provides in-depth information
to empower you as a practitioner, to assess, improve, and monitor your patient’s gut microbiome.
MICROBIAL DIVERSITY
This is determined through the Shannon index, a measure of diversity used by members of the scientific community to compare results over time and reflects the different types and number of bacterial species that make up our intestinal microbiota. High microbial diversity or within the range of normality is associated with good health. A varied diet rich in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts can help increase that diversity.
IMPORTANT SPECIES
Identification of potentially beneficial or pathogenic bacteria with scientific soundness.
DIGESTIVE POTENTIAL
The analysis provides information on the potential to digest components such as fibre and protein.
EUKARYOTIC MICROORGANISMS
It reports the presence of
fungi, archaea, yeasts and parasites important for health.
NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The report provided includes personalized dietary recommendations based on the results obtained.
SAMPLE COMPOSITION
Most of the DNA in the stool (~99%) comes from microorganisms, while only a small amount (~1%) is human DNA. myBIOME provides information on the percentage of the major groups of microorganisms living in the gut (bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes (fungi and parasites)), as well as novel (unidentifiable) DNA and human DNA contained in the sample. More than 4% of human DNA can be an indirect marker of intestinal inflammation.
MICROBIAL METABOLITES
The bacterial functional genes are quantified to provide the metabolic potential to produce or consume metabolites involved in the development of certain diseases or metabolites associated with beneficial health effects. Metabolites that may be key in the prevention of such diseases (health indicators, neuroendocrine, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and vitamins) are determined on the basis of functional genes.
Report overview
Dig Deeper
myBIOME report
Why choose myBIOME?
The use of metagenomic sequencing for the analysis of the gut microbiota offers a number of advantages over those based on 16S gene sequencing or RT PCR/culture.
METAGENOMIC SEQUENCING myBIOME
- It analyzes all the genetic material (DNA) in the sample, allowing a more sensitive strain of the microorganisms that make it up.
- Detects all species with a relative abundance greater than 0.01%.
- High resolution and coverage: taxonomic identification of all present microorganisms down to the species level.
- Can identify previously unknown new species.
- Can detect bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists.
- Identifies functional potential of microorganisms (according to gene abundance).
- Allows the definition of personalized dietary patterns to counteract altered microbial functions.
16S rRNA/PCR SEQUENCE
- It selects and amplifies a small portion of the 16S ribosomal RNA present in bacteria.
- 16S rRNA: can detect very few microorganisms at the species level.
- 16S rRNA: low resolution, taxonomic identification down to genus level. Does not detect species/strains.
PCR: high resolution but limited coverage by detecting pre-established target organisms. - Does not detect new species.
- 16S rRNA: only detects bacteria.
PCR: can detect bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses in a targeted manner. - Does not provide information about the functionality of present microorganisms.
- It does not allow the determination of microbial functions.
Clinical potential
The myBIOME analysis is a valuable tool for you as a practitioner. It analyzes all genetic sequences present in the sample, providing a high-resolution view of the gut microbiome, with detailed information about which microorganisms live in a person's gut (species), what they are capable of doing (metabolic potential) and which foods they need for energy (prebiotics). In addition, it can provide you with information on the connection of these elements to other major organs of the body and to health. As a healthcare professional, we encourage you to use this information in your daily practice together with your competences to create a plan to improve your patient’s overall health.
How to become a myBIOME prescriber?
Are you ready to improve the testing of the gut microbiome of your patients to find the best therapy decisions?
Healthcare professionals that understand the power of gut microbiome analysis are well placed to utilize this analysis in their daily practice, to better understand what is occurring to their patients.
We are willing to empower practitioners to use our evidence-based gut microbiome analysis myBIOME and will help you understanding the value of this tool and interpreting a report.
- Yang B, Wang Y, Qian PY. Sensitivity and correlation of hypervariable regions in 16S rRNA genes in phylogenetic analysis. BMC Bioinformatics. 2016 Mar 22;17:135
- Větrovský T, Baldrian P. The variability of the 16S rRNA gene in bacterial genomes and its consequences for bacterial community analyses. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e57923.
- Kumar S, Krishnani KK, Bhushan B, Brahmane MP. Metagenomics: Retrospect and Prospects in High Throughput Age. Biotechnol Res Int. 2015;2015:121735.
- Fox GE, Wisotzkey JD, Jurtshuk P Jr. How close is close: 16S rRNA sequence identity may not be suf cient to guarantee species identity. Int J Syst Bacteriol. 1992 Jan;42(1):166-70
- Clarridge JE 3rd. Impact of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis for identi cation of bacteria on clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004 Oct;17(4):840-62