Cryopreservation increases engraftment fidelity of human microbiota in germ-free mice

We collected fecal samples from two human donors (under American Gut), and processed them in ~50 different conditions. after 2-4 months we sorted live bacteria (using baclight live/dead, collecting syto9+ pi- cells), extracted DNA and sequenced. three different samples processed anaerobically (unprocessed, PBS+15% glycerol, or PBS + 5% DMSO) were gavaged to mice and fecal samples were collected over time. other samples were sent for metabolomics with the Dorrestin lab.