The Best Ways to Test the Microbiome

When it comes to assessing the microbiome, technology continuously evolves. With that, our understanding of the microbiome deepens. There is a lot of confusion out there regarding technology. Companies use marketing spin to lead you to believe the newest is the best when in fact, every technology has its strengths and weaknesses. No one method can capture the entire dynamic of the microbiome. Here at Genova, we use many methods to give you the most complete look at overall gut health.

Today we simplify the science behind laboratory assays used to study the microbiome – culture, qPCR, metagenomics, and transcriptomics. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages. We’re cutting through the confusion with no marketing spin, just the facts.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:30 So much confusion around laboratory methods - why should we care?
• 7:45 Culture technology is old but still so important
• 11:10 Conventional PCR and qPCR (aka Real-Time PCR)
• 15:40 Beware of these qPCR shortcomings
• 19:50 Next-Gen Sequencing
• 21:40 Metagenomics – not all labs are created equally!!
• 26:55 The vital role of taxonomy libraries
• 30:30 Transcriptomics and assessing RNA

Additional Resources:

GI Effects

Microbiomix

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