Topographical and temporal diversity of the human skin microbiome.
Human skin is a large, heterogeneous organ that protects the body from pathogens while sustaining microorganisms that influence human health and disease. Our analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences obtained from 20 distinct skin sites of healthy humans revealed that physiologically comparable sites harbor similar bacterial communities. The complexity and stability of the microbial community are dependent on the specific characteristics of the skin site. This topographical and temporal survey provides a baseline for studies that examine the role of bacterial communities in disease states and the microbial interdependencies required to maintain healthy skin.
Grice
Elizabeth A
EA
Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Kong
Heidi H
HH
Conlan
Sean
S
Deming
Clayton B
CB
Davis
Joie
J
Young
Alice C
AC
Bouffard
Gerard G
GG
Blakesley
Robert W
RW
Murray
Patrick R
PR
Green
Eric D
ED
Turner
Maria L
ML
Segre
Julia A
JA
D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044822:Biodiversity; D005260:Female; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054892:Metagenome; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D020560:Proteobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S