title: The human metagenome: our other genome?
abstract: For about a decade, the human microbiota has been investigated using molecular procedures that are now systematized via metagenomics. Several large scale studies are underway with the goal of establishing a set of reference data, such as catalogues of genes, microbial species and complete genome sequences of strains colonizing the various body sites. A first series of conclusions can be drawn from this 'natural history' approach that will also lay the ground for further studies aiming at understanding--in an ecological perspective--the mechanisms ensuring stable operation of the microbiota in healthy individuals, and how changes in its composition (dysbiosis) may result in diseases.
authors.affiliation: DSV/IG/Genoscope, CEA, Evry, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brüls
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weissenbach
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D054892:Metagenome