PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Eckburg, Paul B.
AU  - Bik, Elisabeth M.
AU  - Bernstein, Charles N.
AU  - Purdom, Elizabeth
AU  - Dethlefsen, Les
AU  - Sargent, Michael
AU  - Gill, Steven R.
AU  - Nelson, Karen E.
AU  - Relman, David A.
TI  - Diversity of the Human Intestinal Microbial Flora
AID  - 10.1126/science.1110591
DP  - 2005 Jun 10
TA  - Science
PG  - 1635--1638
VI  - 308
IP  - 5728
4099  - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/308/5728/1635.short
4100  - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/308/5728/1635.full
SO  - Science2005 Jun 10; 308
AB  - The human endogenous intestinal microflora is an essential “organ” in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity; yet, surprisingly, basic features remain poorly described. We examined 13,355 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences from multiple colonic mucosal sites and feces of healthy subjects to improve our understanding of gut microbial diversity. A majority of the bacterial sequences corresponded to uncultivated species and novel microorganisms. We discovered significant intersubject variability and differences between stool and mucosa community composition. Characterization of this immensely diverse ecosystem is the first step in elucidating its role in health and disease.