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.