Microbiome Core
Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center
Overview
This core offers a range of services for studying the microbiome in human and animal model studies. These include study design, sample collection, sequencing-based assays such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing or shotgun metagenomics and data interpretation. The Microbiome Core has experience with a wide variety of human and animal sample types including, but not limited to, feces, tissues, swabs, saliva and intestinal lavage.
Leadership
Services
1. Microbiome study design, sample collection, and processing
- Consultation to plan microbiome studies, including sample collection strategies
- Grant proposal development
- Stool collection kits for home sampling
- Aliquoting of frozen feces under liquid nitrogen
- Processing of swabs (rectal, cervical, ocular, etc.)
- Microbial DNA extraction by bead beating
2. Sequencing-based assessment of microbiome composition and function
Samples can be delivered frozen, at room temperature in a preservative such as 95 percent ethanol, or as extracted DNA. Sequence data are provided as fastq files and count tables of taxa, genes or transcripts
- 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, V4 region (bacteria)
- 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, V1-V3 region (bacteria)
- ITS1-ITS2 sequencing (fungi)
- Shotgun metagenomics
- Metatranscriptomics
3. Additional services
- Total bacteria quantitation by 16S rRNA quantitative PCR
- Fecal calprotectin or lipocalin measurement
- Salivary cortisol measurement
- Analysis of microbiome sequence data (on a collaborative basis)
- Coordination with other Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center cores (e.g. bioinformatics, neuroimaging, clinical studies, etc.)
- Immediate Care
- Emergency Care
- Make an Appointment
- Medical Services