16S rRNA Sequencing

16S rRNA sequencing is an advanced molecular method employed to explore and analyse the bacteria present in the gut through the examination of stool samples. This method is considered the gold standard in stool analysis and is central to understanding the complex ecosystem within the human digestive system.

Here’s how it’s applied:

Collection of stool Samples: You use a sample collection kit like the one we use for the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test and submit a stool sample to a lab. That sample contains the DNA of the different bacteria that live in your gut.
Extraction and amplification of 16S rRNA gene: The lab receives your sample and extracts the genetic material (or DNA) from it. Then, the specific 16S rRNA gene is amplified. This gene is chosen because it’s common to all bacteria but has unique regions that vary between species, allowing for identification. Think about it as a unique ID card or passport for each bacteria that enables scientists to verify the microbe’s identity. Amplification of the 16S rRNA gene means making many, many copies of that specific part of the DNA. Think of it like photocopying a single page from a book so you have lots of identical copies to study. By creating numerous copies, scientists can more easily study the gene, as it becomes a more significant portion of the DNA sample. This allows for precise examination and helps in identifying the various types of bacteria present in your gut.
Sequencing: The amplified 16S rRNA genes are then sequenced to determine their exact structure. Sequencing refers to determining the exact order of the building blocks (called nucleotides) within the 16S rRNA gene. Think of it like reading the exact letters in a sentence. By knowing this precise order, scientists can identify the specific types of bacteria present in your sample, such as from stool in gut microbiota assessment. It’s like reading a unique code that tells you exactly what’s there, allowing for detailed analysis and understanding of the microbial community in the gut.
Analysis and identification: The sequenced genes are compared with a comprehensive database of known bacterial genes. This comparison allows scientists to identify which species and strains of bacteria are present in the gut. There are various databases that scientists can use, including the SILVA database¹², the GreenGenes database³, and others.

What are the benefits of 16S rRNA sequencing?

By analysing the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, researchers can gain insights into a range of different health conditions. This includes understanding how diet affects gut health, the role of gut bacteria in diseases such as obesity⁴⁵, inflammatory bowel disease⁶⁷⁸, and even how gut microbiota might affect mental health.⁹¹⁰

Does the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test use 16S rRNA sequencing?

Yes, the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test does use 16S rRNA sequencing as the gold standard in stool analysis. The process is performed by expert bioinformaticians at Cambridge Genomic Services at the University of Cambridge, who provide a sophisticated and highly accurate snapshot of the bacterial community within your gut. Your gut microbiota profile allows us to make evidence-based, personalised recommendations on diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and other interventions to promote a balanced and healthy gut ecosystem. This information is vital for our research team to understand the intricate relationship between gut bacteria and human health, enabling us to tailor recommendations to the unique bacterial ecosystem of each individual. Please note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider if you have any questions.

Synonyms: Microbiome sequencing, microbiome analysis, 16S analysis, 16S stool analysis

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

1
Quast C, Pruesse E, Yilmaz P, Gerken J, Schweer T, Yarza P, Peplies J, Glöckner FO. The SILVA ribosomal RNA gene database project: improved data processing and web-based tools. Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Jan;41(Database issue):D590-6. doi: 10.1093/nar/gks1219.
2
Yilmaz P, Parfrey LW, Yarza P, Gerken J, Pruesse E, Quast C, Schweer T, Peplies J, Ludwig W, Glöckner FO. The SILVA and “All-species Living Tree Project (LTP)” taxonomic frameworks. Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan;42(Database issue):D643-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt1209.
3
DeSantis TZ, Hugenholtz P, Larsen N, Rojas M, Brodie EL, Keller K, Huber T, Dalevi D, Hu P, Andersen GL. Greengenes, a chimera-checked 16S rRNA gene database and workbench compatible with ARB. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Jul;72(7):5069-72. doi: 10.1128/AEM.03006-05.
4
Castaner O, Goday A, Park YM, Lee SH, Magkos F, Shiow STE, Schröder H. The Gut Microbiome Profile in Obesity: A Systematic Review. Int J Endocrinol. 2018 Mar 22;2018:4095789. doi: 10.1155/2018/4095789.
5
Gong J, Shen Y, Zhang H, Cao M, Guo M, He J, Zhang B, Xiao C. Gut Microbiota Characteristics of People with Obesity by Meta-Analysis of Existing Datasets. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 21;14(14):2993. doi: 10.3390/nu14142993.
6
Aldars-García L, Chaparro M, Gisbert JP. Systematic Review: The Gut Microbiome and Its Potential Clinical Application in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Microorganisms. 2021 Apr 30;9(5):977. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9050977.
7
Alam MT, Amos GCA, Murphy ARJ, Murch S, Wellington EMH, Arasaradnam RP. Microbial imbalance in inflammatory bowel disease patients at different taxonomic levels. Gut Pathog. 2020 Jan 4;12:1. doi: 10.1186/s13099-019-0341-6.
8
Abdel-Rahman LIH, Morgan XC. Searching for a Consensus Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Studies: A Systematic Meta-Analysis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2023 Jan 5;29(1):125-139. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izac194.
9
McGuinness AJ, Davis JA, Dawson SL, Loughman A, Collier F, O’Hely M, Simpson CA, Green J, Marx W, Hair C, Guest G, Mohebbi M, Berk M, Stupart D, Watters D, Jacka FN. A systematic review of gut microbiota composition in observational studies of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Apr;27(4):1920-1935. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01456-3.
10
Cheung SG, Goldenthal AR, Uhlemann AC, Mann JJ, Miller JM, Sublette ME. Systematic Review of Gut Microbiota and Major Depression. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Feb 11;10:34. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00034.

16S rRNA Sequencing

References

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