International Human Microbiome Standards. AWF

A detailed understanding of human-microbe symbiosis requires a precise characterization of human-associated microorganisms, the human microbiome. To progress towards this ambitious goal it is of utmost importance that the data generated in each of many large projects involved in human metagenome research be optimally comparable. The International Human Microbiome Standards (IHMS) project coordinated the development of standard operating procedures designed to optimize data quality and comparability in the human microbiome field. Overall, IHMS focused on all key aspects of from human sample identification, collection and processing to DNA sequence generation and analysis. We herein outline IHMS contribution concerning sample identification, collection and processing. Consideration was given to the requirement for high throughput treatment of large sample sets. A suite of sample collection procedures were compared allowing the management of different conditions and delivery-time for appropriately identified samples. The 8 partners of IHMS and 15 contributors across 12 different countries further participated in a study designed to identify the critical features and optimal protocols for DNA preparation. Contributors were offered to treat aliquots of two fecal samples using their own lab procedures. Stringent selection criteria were applied for DNA yield and quality. Full metagenomic sequencing and analysis allowed to assess the recovery of diversity and specific bacterial taxa. An initial subset of 3 satisfactory protocols was selected and analysed with respect to sequencing and data analysis standards. A final set of 14 SOPs, covering all stages of the process, have been produced. It must be kept in mind that the specific area of nucleic acids preparation does see constant evolutions and improvements, such that IHMS protocols may not be regarded as optimal in the long run. Yet they will highlight critically key feature, may serve as benchmark and help move towards automation. Supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme, IHMS Project organizes public access to downloadable SOPs and enables exchanges between users and providers of the standards For mode details, see : http://www.microbiome-standards.org/