Biogeography of the ecosystems of the healthy human body.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Characterizing the biogeography of the microbiome of healthy humans is essential for understanding microbial associated diseases. Previous studies mainly focused on a single body habitat from a limited set of subjects. Here, we analyzed one of the largest microbiome datasets to date and generated a biogeographical map that annotates the biodiversity, spatial relationships, and temporal stability of 22 habitats from 279 healthy humans.

Results

We identified 929 genera from more than 24 million 16S rRNA gene sequences of 22 habitats, and we provide a baseline of inter-subject variation for healthy adults. The oral habitat has the most stable microbiota with the highest alpha diversity, while the skin and vaginal microbiota are less stable and show lower alpha divers

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054670 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature