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MMHP: Million Microbiome of Humans Project

An increasing number of studies have highlighted the important role of the microbiome in human health and disease. However, information on the composition of the microbiome in different parts of the body across countries, ages, sexes, and in relation to human health and disease is still limited. More importantly, though thousands of peer-reviewed papers have been published, very few open-access databases are available.

With the featured MGI DNBSEQ™ sequencing technology, the MMHP aims to sequence and analyze one million microbiome samples in the coming 3-5 years, focusing on feces and saliva (other body sites for which a large number of samples can be obtained will be accepted), and make the first comprehensive map of the human microbiome publicly available.

Progress of MMHP (continuously updated)

A total of nearly 130,000 samples have been sequenced among 21 institutes and over 10 participating nations throughout Europe, as part of the Million Microbiome of Humans Project (MMHP) that was officially launched in 2019.

Innovative Sequencing Technology

MGI's proprietary DNBSEQ™ technology uses rolling circle amplification and patterned array technology. This combined technology allows MGI to provide precise sequencing data, significantly reducing duplicates and preventing issues such as index hopping and error accumulation that can occur during PCR amplification.

An Optimized Workflow Incorporating Innovative Technology

The MMHP Consortium employs cutting-edge laboratory systems to ensure high-throughput procedures, exceptional accuracy, and the generation of top-quality data. The dedicated workflow enables the extraction of 96 DNA samples/day and the library preparation of 96 samples per run. Utilizing MGI sequencing platforms, the Consortium also leverages the DNBSEQ™ technology, renowned for its exceptional accuracy.

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Nature communications | A genome and gene catalog of the aquatic microbiomes of the Tibetan Plateau
In April 2024, Professor Zheng Hao from Kunming University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with MGI and other institutions, published an article titled "Identification of the mutual gliding locus as a factor for gut colonization in non-native bee hosts using ARTP mutagenesis" in the journal Microbiome. The study employed atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis, metagenomic sequencing, amplicon sequencing, and colony expansion assays. It revealed that mutations in the mglB gene, encoding the mutual gliding motility protein B, provide Snodgrassella strains with a competitive advantage in gut colonization of non-native hosts, suggesting a potential role of T4P-dependent cell motility in establishing microbiota-host association. This research elucidates the genetic mechanisms of gut colonization by Snodgrassella strains in non-native hosts and offers an experimental framework for future studies on host-microbe interactions. The project utilized the DNBSEQ-E25 sequencing platform from MGI for amplicon sequencing of the mutation region in the mglB gene, further validating the results of microbial competition assays.
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Nature Communications | A robust yeast biocontainment system with two-layered regulation switch dependent on unnatural amino acid
Synthetic auxotrophy in which cell viability depends on the presence of an unnatural amino acid (unAA) provides a powerful strategy to restrict unwanted propagation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in open environments and potentially prevent industrial espionage. On October 14th, 2023, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, BGI Research, and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory, among others, jointly published an article titled "A Robust Yeast Biocontainment System with Two-Layered Regulation Switch Dependent on Unnatural Amino Acid" in Nature Communications. This publication underscores that the utilization of their multiplex safeguard system could restrict the proliferation of strains of interest in a real fermentation scenario, highlighting the great potential of yeast biocontainment strategy to protect the industrial proprietary strains.
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LWT | Evaluation of the safety and probiotic properties of Lactobacillus gasseri LGZ1029 based on whole genome analysis
South China University of Technology published an article titled "Evaluation of the safety and probiotic properties of Lactobacillus gasseri LGZ1029 based on whole genome analysis" in LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. The team reported the complete genome sequence of L. gasseri LGZ1029, which comprised 2,027,325 base pairs encoding 2005 genes, with an average G + C content of 35.06%. Their analysis of genes related to antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and harmful metabolite production led them to speculate on the safety of L. gasseri LGZ1029. Furthermore, genome mining revealed the presence of a complete plnABCD operon, suggesting its potential to produce antimicrobial bacteriocins. Stress-related genes indicated favorable gastrointestinal tolerance, bacteriostatic abilities, and antioxidant activity, all indicative of excellent probiotic characteristics, positioning L. gasseri LGZ1029 as a promising probiotic candidate.
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