articleNatureJun 1, 2012HYBRID OA

Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome

Broad Institute · Harvard University · +68 more institutions

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

Studies of the human microbiome have revealed that even healthy individuals differ remarkably in the microbes that occupy habitats such as the gut, skin and vagina. Much of this diversity remains unexplained, although diet, environment, host genetics and early microbial exposure have all been implicated. Accordingly, to characterize the ecology of human-associated microbial communities, the Human Microbiome Project has analysed the largest cohort and set of distinct, clinically relevant body habitats so far. We found the diversity and abundance of each habitat’s signature microbes to vary widely even among healthy subjects, with strong niche specialization both within and among individuals. The project…

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Authors

271

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Microbiome
  • Metagenomics
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Human Microbiome Project
  • Niche
  • Human microbiome
  • Community
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