GutAlive<sup>®</sup> enables DNA-based microbiome analysis without disrupting the original composition and diversity
Montero et al.
The finding, in our words
The study compared two stool collection devices and found that GutAlive maintained bacterial viability and DNA integrity over time, preserving the original microbiome composition and diversity, which supports its use for decentralised self-collection in microbiome diagnostics.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
The study demonstrated the feasibility of a fully decentralised design by successfully recruiting 37 participants and completing follow-up for self-collected stool samples without requiring on-site visits.
Feles & Mattner, JMIR research protocols · source ↗
Taxonomic and diversity profiles differed between unstabilised swabs and stabilised OmniGene kits, with transport time disproportionately affecting swab samples; the collection method had a greater impact on taxa and diversity than transport time, highlighting the need for standardised stool collection in decentralised microbiome studies.
A dissolvable wipe with DESS solution captured stool for metagenomics with high species-level agreement to frozen storage, R2 0.96, preserved Shannon diversity and species richness, and performed comparably to a commercial preservation kit, R2 0.98, enabling stable room temperature collection and transport for decentralised sampling.
A study found that fecal samples on FOBT cards and RNAlater, and oral samples in Scope mouthwash, remained stable for four days at room temperature, with fecal comparability ICCs ranging from 0.63 to 0.93. These methods support decentralised sampling, though consistent method choice is required as each may introduce modest differences.
This study compared four stool collection methods for infant gut microbiome analysis via post and found that the OMNIgene•GUT kit showed the closest agreement with the frozen standard compared to swabs or plain tubes. The findings suggest that stabilised collection offers a viable decentralised solution for parents to sample infant stool at home with minimal DNA degradation.