Current Sampling Methods for Gut Microbiota: A Call for More Precise Devices

The development of next-generation sequencing technology has enabled researchers to explore and understand the gut microbiome from a broader and deeper perspective. However, the results of different studies on gut microbiota are highly variable even in the same disease, which makes it difficult to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. The ideal sampling method should be non-invasive, involve little cross-contamination or bowel preparation, and collect gut microbiota at different sites. Currently, sequencing technologies are usually based on samples collected from feces, mucosal biopsy, intestinal fluid, etc. However, different parts of the gastrointestinal tract possess various physiological characteristics…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 17JCYBJC24900, 81741075, 81570478, 2019M651049
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

  Award: 2019M651049
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City

  Awards: 2019M651049, 17JCYBJC24900