MyBiome microbiota test

What is myBIOME?

myBIOME is a test based on metagenomic sequencing, allowing comprehensive, objective, and practical analysis of the gut microbiome, providing detailed information about the microorganisms living in the gut and their functionality, impact on health, and ways to balance the microbiome using personalized dietary recommendations.

Scientific Evidence

myBIOME analyzes the gut microbiome using metagenomic sequencing. Applying NGS technology (Next Generation Sequencing), the genetic material (DNA) of entire microbial communities living in the gut is sequenced, allowing the study of collective genomes and obtaining sequences of all microorganisms that constitute the gut ecosystem.

myBIOME advantages

The analysis of gut microbiota based on metagenomic sequencing offers various advantages compared to analyses based on 16S gene sequencing or RT-PCR (culture).

Metagenomic strategy

Traditional analysis of bacterial populations is performed by amplifying the ribosomal 16S rRNA gene (16S rRNA), based on amplification of hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA genome using primers that amplify this fragment in most bacteria present in the sample. Although this method is highly developed, it cannot detect microorganisms that have changed at the primer binding site⁽¹⁾, making these bacteria technically "invisible" and unanalyzed⁽²⁾.

Besides this limitation, the 16S rRNA gene constitutes only a small part of the entire bacterial genome, making any analysis, other than phylogenetic classification, challenging. 

Compared to traditional microbiota studies based on 16S rRNA analysis, myBIOME allows the detection of all microbial genes present in the sample using the metagenomic sequencing method, thus avoiding amplification bias and enabling a comprehensive sampling of genes present in organisms⁽³⁾. This strategy allows for a comprehensive analysis and provides information not only about the totality of bacteria at the taxonomic species and strain level, but also other microorganisms found in the sample, e.g., fungi, archaea, yeasts, and parasites.

Metagenomics allows not only recognition but also identification and quantitative evaluation of functional genes, which provide information about the functions of microorganisms present in the sample.

myBIOME CAN REVEAL INFORMATION ABOUT:

• MICROBIAL DIVERSITY. Determined using 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 numbers of bacterial species constituting our gut microbiota. High microbial diversity, within normal limits, is associated with good health. A diverse diet rich in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can help increase this diversity. 
• IMPORTANT SPECIES. Scientifically based identification of potentially beneficial or pathogenic bacteria. 
• DIGESTIVE CAPABILITIES. The analysis provides information about the ability to digest components such as fibers and proteins.
• SAMPLE COMPOSITION. Most of the DNA present in stool (~99%) belongs to microorganisms, with only a small part (~1%) being human DNA. myBIOME allows identifying the percentage of main groups of microorganisms living in the gut (bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes (fungi and parasites)) and new (unidentified) DNA and human DNA found in the sample. If human DNA exceeds 4%, it may be an indirect marker of gut inflammation.
• MICROBIAL METABOLITES. Functional genes of bacteria are quantitatively evaluated to learn about the metabolic system's ability to produce or consume metabolites associated with the development of certain diseases or metabolites associated with positive health effects. Metabolites that may play an important role in preventing diseases (health indicators, neuroendocrine metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and vitamins) are determined based on functional genes.
• EUKARYOTIC MICROORGANISMS. Information about identified health-important fungi, archaea, yeasts, and parasites.
• RECOMMENDED DIET. The report includes personalized dietary recommendations based on the obtained results.

Metagenomic sequencing and the conclusions offered by this advanced technology allow the use of myBIOME as a reference gut microbiota test, comprehensively differentiating and characterizing the microorganisms that make up the gut and helping to create dietary recommendations that ensure a healthy balance.

PREPARATION FOR THE TEST

1. For 6 weeks before sampling, do not take antibiotics, antifungal medications, or immunosuppressants.
2. If you have undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy, you must wait at least 6 weeks before taking the sample.
3. For 2 weeks before taking the sample, adhere to daily habits to know your usual microbiome.
4. A special test tube provided by our staff is required for the test: do not open the test tube, until you are ready to take the sample.
5. Take a sample of usual stool .
6. Store the sample at room temperature.

The test completion time is 6 - 9 weeks.

To view the Mybiome microbiota test response form, click here.