Update: We are no longer recruiting participants for this study.
Why are we doing this study?
Short answer: To learn more about the dynamics of the human gut microbiota.
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What are we asking people to do?
Short answer: Give us stool and urine samples once a week (and sometimes daily) for months, provide some specific, short perturbations to their gut microbiota during that time, and fill out questionnaires about themselves.
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What will we do with the samples we collect?
Short answer: Use powerful new techniques to figure out which microbes are present, what genes these microbes have and which genes they’re actively using, and how the microbes are affecting the chemical environment of the gut and the entire body.
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What do we hope to accomplish?
Short answer: To better understand how the composition and activity of the gut microbiota changes over time in a broad sample of healthy adults (both during normal intervals and following a perturbation), and to identify factors that are associated with stability or instability of the microbiota.
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Why should I participate?
The main reason for people to participate is because they want to help this science to move forward, whether that's so medical science can do a better job of keeping people healthy, or just because it's fascinating!
Another reason would be to learn about your own gut microbiota. Once your samples have been analyzed (which can take a while), you can choose to meet with one of the study staff to find out what we've learned about your own microbes. We'll also discuss how your results compare to those from other people, and how they relate to other published scientific studies. You should know, though, that scientists don't yet know enough to provide specific health or medical advice to generally healthy people based on knowledge of their microbiota. The best advice we can give for you and your microbiota is to eat a balanced, healthy diet - and that advice doesn't depend on knowing what microbes are in your gut already!
We are offering financial compensation to people who participate in the study, but honestly, don't consider signing up if that's your only motivation. Once you're over the 'yuck' factor, the sampling isn't hard to do. However, we are asking for regular samples (usually weekly) for many weeks. It's more likely you'll stick with it if you understand why we're doing this research and want to help.
Another reason would be to learn about your own gut microbiota. Once your samples have been analyzed (which can take a while), you can choose to meet with one of the study staff to find out what we've learned about your own microbes. We'll also discuss how your results compare to those from other people, and how they relate to other published scientific studies. You should know, though, that scientists don't yet know enough to provide specific health or medical advice to generally healthy people based on knowledge of their microbiota. The best advice we can give for you and your microbiota is to eat a balanced, healthy diet - and that advice doesn't depend on knowing what microbes are in your gut already!
We are offering financial compensation to people who participate in the study, but honestly, don't consider signing up if that's your only motivation. Once you're over the 'yuck' factor, the sampling isn't hard to do. However, we are asking for regular samples (usually weekly) for many weeks. It's more likely you'll stick with it if you understand why we're doing this research and want to help.