Increased knowledge of the gut microbiota will be key to understanding its role in health and disease. This Review presents the techniques currently used to characterize the gut microbiota. The authors explain the various methods—from culture through to microbiome shotgun sequencing—suggesting when they can be most appropriately applied to human studies, and also critically reviewing their advantages and limitations as a guide to clinicians.
- Marianne H. Fraher
- Paul W. O'Toole
- Eamonn M. M. Quigley
