scholarly journals Challenges in Human Skin Microbial Profiling for Forensic Science: A Review

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Neckovic ◽  
Roland A. H. van Oorschot ◽  
Bianca Szkuta ◽  
Annalisa Durdle
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Human Skin ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Human Identification ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Microbial Profiling ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Microbial Samples

The human microbiome is comprised of the microbes that live on and within an individual, as well as immediately surrounding them. Microbial profiling may have forensic utility in the identification or association of individuals with criminal activities, using microbial signatures derived from a personal microbiome. This review highlights some important aspects of recent studies, many of which have revealed issues involving the effect of contamination of microbial samples from both technical and environmental sources and their impacts on microbiome research and the potential forensic applications of microbial profiling. It is imperative that these challenges be discussed and evaluated within a forensic context to better understand the future directions and potential applications of microbial profiling for human identification. It is necessary that the limitations identified be resolved prior to the adoption of microbial profiling, or, at a minimum, acknowledged by those applying this new approach.

scholarly journals Impact of the Human Microbiome in Forensic Sciences: a Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel G. García ◽  
María D. Pérez-Cárceles ◽  
Eduardo Osuna ◽  
Isabel Legaz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Postmortem Interval ◽  
Forensic Sciences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbiome Analysis ◽  
Location Of Death ◽  
Microbiome Research

ABSTRACT Numerous studies relate differences in microbial communities to human health and disease; however, little is known about microbial changes that occur postmortem or the possible applications of microbiome analysis in the field of forensic science. The aim of this review was to study the microbiome and its applications in forensic sciences and to determine the main lines of investigation that are emerging, as well as its possible contributions to the forensic field. A systematic review of the human microbiome in relation to forensic science was carried out by following PRISMA guidelines. This study sheds light on the role of microbiome research in the postmortem interval during the process of decomposition, identifying death caused by drowning or sudden death, locating the geographical location of death, establishing a connection between the human microbiome and personal items, sexual contact, and the identification of individuals. Actinomycetaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Bacilli play an important role in determining the postmortem interval. Aeromonas can be used to determine the cause of death, and Corynebacterium or Helicobacter pylori can be used to ascertain personal identity or geographical location. Several studies point to a promising future for microbiome analysis in the different fields of forensic science, opening up an important new area of research.

scholarly journals The microbiome in rheumatology: Where are we and where should we go?

2020 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2019-216631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Manasson ◽  
Rebecca B Blank ◽  
Jose U Scher
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Human Microbiome Project ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Sequencing Technologies ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Micro Organisms

From birth, humans coexist and coevolve with trillions of micro-organisms inhabiting most body surfaces and cavities, referred to as the human microbiome. Advances in sequencing technologies and computational methods have propelled the exploration of the microbiome’s contribution to human health and disease, spearheaded by massive efforts such as the Human Microbiome Project and the Europe-based MetaHit Consortium. Yet, despite the accumulated body of literature and a growing awareness among patients, microbiome research in rheumatology has not had a key impact on clinical practice. Herein, we describe some of the landmark microbiome studies in autoimmunity and rheumatology, the challenges and opportunities of microbiome research and how to navigate them, advances in related fields that have overcome these pitfalls, and future directions of harnessing the microbiome for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

scholarly journals Microbiome Forensic Biobanking: A Step toward Microbial Profiling for Forensic Human Identification

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1371
Author(s):  
Luciana Caenazzo ◽  
Pamela Tozzo
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Human Identification ◽  
Dna Recovery ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Microbial Profiling ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
Forensic Scientists ◽  
Recovery Protocols ◽  
And Function

In recent years many studies have highlighted the great potential of microbial analysis in human identification for forensic purposes, with important differences in microbial community composition and function across different people and locations, showing a certain degree of uncertainty. Therefore, further studies are necessary to enable forensic scientists to evaluate the risk of microbial transfer and recovery from various items and to further critically evaluate the suitability of current human DNA recovery protocols for human microbial profiling for identification purposes. While the establishment and development of microbiome research biobanks for clinical applications is already very structured, the development of studies on the applicability of microbiome biobanks for forensic purposes is still in its infancy. The creation of large population microbiome biobanks, specifically dedicated to forensic human identification, could be worthwhile. This could also be useful to increase the practical applications of forensic microbiology for identification purposes, given that this type of evidence is currently absent from most real casework investigations and judicial proceedings in courts.

Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily F. Wissel ◽  
Leigh K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

Gut Feeling

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S504-S505
Author(s):  
C. Cotta ◽  
G. Jesus ◽  
V. Vila Nova ◽  
C. Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Antibiotic Drugs ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionThere is growing evidence of the importance of nutrition in mental disorders. Gut microbiota, influenced by environmental factors such as diet and stress, has been proposed as one of the players on a dynamic called gut-brain axis, which is thought to have an influence on behaviour and mental health.Objectives and aimsTo summarize recent evidence on the topic, and its potential role in psychiatric interventions.MethodsThe authors review updated literature collected from online scientific databases.ResultsThe development of the brain itself has been shown to be influenced by the gut microbiome. Research demonstrates that the composition of the microbiota has influence on behaviour through neuroendocrine and other neuroactive messengers production by the bacteria within the gut lumen. Studies in germ-free animals, animals exposed to bacterial infections, probiotic suplements or antibiotic drugs suggest a role for the gut microbiota in the regulation of anxiety, mood, cognition and pain. The gut microbiome has been implicated in brain disorders including anxiety and depression, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and autism.ConclusionsThe treatment of mental disorders is usually based on pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, and little attention is given to dietary interventions. The emerging field of research focused on the human microbiome suggests an important role for the gut microbiota in influencing brain development, behaviour and mood in humans, and points new strategies for developing novel therapeutics for mental disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Extending McKinsey’s 7S model to understand strategic alignment in academic libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 313-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Martin Cox ◽  
Stephen Pinfield ◽  
Sophie Rutter
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Influences ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Strategic Position ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise the issues of alignment for changing academic libraries by using and extending McKinsey’s 7S model. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical work was conducted to consider and extend the 7S model for the situation of academic libraries. Empirical data were then used to confirm the value of these extensions and suggest further changes. The data to support the analysis were drawn from 33 interviews with librarians, library and non-library academics and experts, and a survey of UK library staff. Findings In the academic library context, the 7S model can be usefully extended to include three library functions (stuff, space and services) and users. It can also include institutional influences and stakeholders, and aspects of the external environment or situation, including suppliers and allies. The revised model then provides a useful framework within which data about library change can be analysed. Perceived barriers to successful performance fit the model and enable the identification of seven challenges of alignment. Research limitations/implications The resulting model has potential applications such as in the structuring analysis of academic library performance, mapping future directions of development and for exploring variations across the sector and internationally. Practical implications The revised model can be used by practitioners to think through their own strategic position and to act to shape their future, in the light of seven major areas of alignment. Originality/value The paper extends a well-known model used in strategy, to produce a more comprehensive, sector-specific analytic tool.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Dimensions of Human Microbiome Research

2015 ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Achenbaum ◽  
Kieran C. O’Doherty ◽  
Amy L. McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Microbiome Research

scholarly journals Microbial trend analysis for common dynamic trend, group comparison and classification in longitudinal microbiome study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan Wang ◽  
Jiyuan Hu ◽  
Martin J. Blaser ◽  
Huilin Li
Keyword(s):  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Microbial Dynamics ◽  
Individual Subject ◽  
Microbial Profiling ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Microbiome Data

AbstractMotivationThe human microbiome is inherently dynamic and its dynamic nature plays a critical role in maintaining health and driving disease. With an increasing number of longitudinal microbiome studies, scientists are eager to learn the comprehensive characterization of microbial dynamics and their implications to the health and disease-related phenotypes. However, due to the challenging structure of longitudinal microbiome data, few analytic methods are available to characterize the microbial dynamics over time.ResultsWe propose a microbial trend analysis (MTA) framework for the high-dimensional and phylogenetically-based longitudinal microbiome data. In particular, MTA can perform three tasks: 1) capture the common microbial dynamic trends for a group of subjects on the community level and identify the dominant taxa; 2) examine whether or not the microbial overall dynamic trends are significantly different in groups; 3) classify an individual subject based on its longitudinal microbial profiling. Our extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed MTA framework is robust and powerful in hypothesis testing, taxon identification, and subject classification. Our real data analyses further illustrate the utility of MTA through a longitudinal study in mice.ConclusionsThe proposed MTA framework is an attractive and effective tool in investigating dynamic microbial pattern from longitudinal microbiome studies.

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