FLUOROCODE 2.0: Priming optical mapping for microbiome analysis

The gut microbiome has been the focus of intense research the last few years. It is now understood how gut bacteria, in addition to host genetics, constitute a major factor in the etiology of complex disorders. With current metagenomic analysis techniques struggling to achieve the level of detail and throughput needed, we propose an integrated approach, based on our recently developed single molecule based super-resolution microscopy mapping approach, for rapid identification of gut microbiome type, or enterotype, in high taxonomic resolution. We will prime optical mapping, through progress in DNA extraction, deposition labeling and matching for fast microbiome analysis and enterotyping. To validate use in microbiome therapy tracking, we will use our metagenomic analysis technique to validate interventions in in-vitro metagenomic model systems. As such, FLUOROCODE 2.0 will establish itself as a complementary microbiome research tool next to sequencing approaches.