Our Microbiomes Are A Part of Us

Our bodies contain more than just human cells – we also have many microbes living on and in us, especially in our guts. These microbes live together with us; they create important metabolites such as short chain fatty acids and essential vitamins, they help us digest our food, they are involved in immune responses, and they even can affect our brains. Likewise, they are modulated by many factors, including the food we eat, our environment, medications we take, our stress levels, and more.

We use whole genome shotgun DNA sequencing to characterize the microbes found in your gut and to understand some of the functions they may be performing. You will find estimates of the amount of the microbes that were identified in your sample and you will see how your microbes compare to our group of more than 800 healthy people.

Whole Genome Shotgun Sequencing with NirvanaBiome

At NirvanaBiome, we use whole genome shotgun (also called WGS) sequencing, provided through CosmosID, for consistent high-quality results and genome identification. This table highlights some of the differences between WGS and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.

nb_wgs_table3.png

If you’re interested in learning more, email us at hello@nirvanabiome.com or check out the FAQ

Autism Research Program

An area of growing interest in microbiome health is in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who frequently have gut microbes that differ from those without ASD. Children with ASD often suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and may have microorganisms in their guts that are distinct from those in non-ASD individuals. We are launching a program to characterize ASD microbiomes which could eventually help assist in early diagnosis of autism.

Here are some statistics regarding ASD:

  • Affects 1:54 children in the United States

  • 150% increase in prevalence in the United States from 2000 to 2014

  • More than 30% of people with ASD report gastrointestinal symptoms

  • There are no approved therapies that address the core ASD symptoms

  • Drives $268 billion of cost per year in the United States

Sources: CDC; Cao, Xinyi et al., Shanghai Arch Psychiatry; Chaidez, Virginia, et al, J. Autism Dev Disord.; Leigh, J Paul, et al, J. Autism Dev Disord.