Welcome to The Microsetta Initiative.
The world's largest citizen science microbiome study.
Current living in the US? Join our research study to become
a citizen scientist.
We have two perks you can claim to participate.
There are as many microbial cells as human cells in our bodies. This collection of microbial cells is known as the human microbiome. With roughly 1lb (.45kg) of them in our gut alone, we’re on a mission to make critical discoveries about their role in our lives. Based at the University of California San Diego, our scientists are recruiting people like you to help make medical breakthroughs by advancing this monumental research project.
So why join this project?
- Your active participation helps create new knowledge that enhances both microbiome research and education - all while learning more about what makes your microbiome unique.
- Your contributions help facilitate ground-breaking research that can one day be used to respond to our social needs and global challenges.
We are a not-for-profit organization, so the contributions received via our crowdfunding platform go towards research costs.
Your contributions help us to...
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Previous Campaigns:
American Gut
British Gut
Questions? Visit our website microsetta.ucsd.edu to find out more!
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Donate Without Participating
If you wish to make a donation to support our research without participating in the project (i.e., without receiving a sample collection kit via a perk), you can make a direct donation through UC San Diego on this page. Please note that donations are non-refundable.
Perks
By joining and contributing to this perk, you will have the opportunity to take an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which gathers information about your diet (average time to complete- 30 minutes). Easy to follow prompts will guide you through the process of collecting information about the foods you eat regularly.
Upon completing the questionnaire, receive a diet report with an evaluation of your food and nutrient intake.
No shipping is required for this online perk.
Includes Analyze Your Nutrition
The human body's largest population of microorganisms resides in the gut and is collectively called the gut microbiota, and each person has one unique to them. Factors like what you eat, where you live, how much you exercise, and so much more can create these differences. Submit a fecal sample to better understand what makes up your microbiota.
By contributing and selecting this perk, you will receive the following:
- An easy-to-use at-home collection kit.
- Opportunity to take an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which gathers information about your diet (average time to complete- 30 minutes). Easy to follow prompts will guide you through the process of collecting information about the foods you eat regularly.
Upon returning your microbiome sample and completing the FFQ, the following reports will be available:
- Microbial lineages found in the sample
- Microbial comparison to others in the TMI dataset
- Evaluation of your food and nutrient intake
Sample collection is non-invasive, and each kit includes free return shipping.
Important: Once received the collection kit should be completed and returned
within 6 months.
By joining and contributing to this perk, you will have the opportunity to take an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which gathers information about your diet (average time to complete- 30 minutes). Easy to follow prompts will guide you through the process of collecting information about the foods you eat regularly.
Upon completing the questionnaire, receive a diet report with an evaluation of your food and nutrient intake.
No shipping is required for this online perk.
Includes Analyze Your Nutrition
The human body's largest population of microorganisms resides in the gut and is collectively called the gut microbiota, and each person has one unique to them. Factors like what you eat, where you live, how much you exercise, and so much more can create these differences. Submit a fecal sample to better understand what makes up your microbiota.
By contributing and selecting this perk, you will receive the following:
- An easy-to-use at-home collection kit.
- Opportunity to take an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which gathers information about your diet (average time to complete- 30 minutes). Easy to follow prompts will guide you through the process of collecting information about the foods you eat regularly.
Upon returning your microbiome sample and completing the FFQ, the following reports will be available:
- Microbial lineages found in the sample
- Microbial comparison to others in the TMI dataset
- Evaluation of your food and nutrient intake
Sample collection is non-invasive, and each kit includes free return shipping.
Important: Once received the collection kit should be completed and returned
within 6 months.
