The ribosome is the factory that makes proteins and is found in all cells, and fascinatingly it is mostly made of RNA. One RNA subunit, called the 16S rRNA, is especially effective as a barcode for understanding which microbes (specifically, bacteria and archaea) are found in a given sample. This Perk includes DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of one stool sample (or an oral or skin sample – the same kit works for any of these), and shows which bacteria and archaea were present in that sample, along with how much of each kind. You will be able to view, download and print a high-resolution certificate suitable for framing of your results and access to more detailed taxa report of your results - which can be viewed online and downloaded into Excel.

Funds for this perk go toward supporting a microbiome investigation into Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is the most common human chromosomal condition, yet is one of the least studied in the microbiome world. Down Syndrome is associated with many comorbidities, including Celiac Disease, chronic constipation, congenital heart disease, hypotonia, hyperthyroidism, and many others. The microbiome of individuals affected by Down Syndrome is not well understood. Many of these comorbidities can be treated, and alleviate some of the symptoms that individuals who have Down Syndrome may experience. This would help fund an incredible opportunity of diving deeper into Down Syndrome scientific research, especially to find improved public health recommendations for this population.

If you have a child who has Down Syndrome and want to have them considered for a FREE gut microbiota analysis, please contact our help account at info@americangut.org.

Get your kits faster with two day USPS Priority Shipping by adding this perk to your order. Only valid for U.S. orders.

Show your support for microbiome research with these quirky (and really awesome) American Gut t-shirts! These limited quantity shirts are made of 100% polyester. Priority USPS shipping is included with all U.S. orders.

Please email your shirt size to info@americangut.org. Available sizes are S through XL.

This Perk is only available for the parent of a child who has been enrolled in American Gut's "ASD-Cohort" study. Note the Perk is for ONE swab/kit. If both parents want to enroll, multiply by 2. The reduced Perk rate is made possible by a generous grant. Please email info@americangut.org if you have a child with ASD and want to have them considered for a FREE gut microbiota analysis (this must be done before claiming this Perk).

EXPERIMENTAL: Test a new device for sampling. Includes both 16S and shotgun sequencing!

Instead of a swab for sampling we will send you a kit with a swab and an FTA card (similar to the card your doctor uses to look for occult blood in stool). Both the swab and the card will be sequenced. This Perk includes DNA extraction, 16S rRNA sequencing, and shallow shotgun sequencing of the stool sample and shows which bacteria and archaea were present in that sample, along with how much of each kind. You will be able to view, download and print a high-resolution certificate suitable for framing of your results and access to more detailed taxa report of your results - which can be viewed online and downloaded into Excel. We will retain the residual stool material to use in future studies and development of new methods for testing samples.

Please note these orders will not be shipped until we have reached the quantity limit. This perk is only available in the U.S. as well.

This is two kits: 1 for you and one for someone from either Africa, South America or Asia. Your support of this Perk will allow us to sequence more people from around the world as part of our ongoing research. DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of one stool sample (or an oral or skin sample - the same kit works for any of these).

DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of two stool samples, e.g. couples, father/son, mother/daughter, you and your dog (or, one stool and say an oral sample – it's up to you – mix and match how you like). You'll be able to view, download and print a high-resolution certificate suitable for framing of your results and access to more detailed taxa report of your results - which can be viewed online and downloaded into Excel.

DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of three stool samples if there are three of you in your home (or, two stools and an oral sample or one stool, one oral and one skin – it's up to you – mix and match how you like). You'll be able to view, download and print a high-resolution certificate suitable for framing of your results and access to more detailed taxa report of your results - which can be viewed online and downloaded into Excel.

DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of four stool samples if there are four of you in your home (or, two stools and two oral samples, or two stools and one oral and one skin). It’s up to you – mix and match, you get the idea. You'll be able to view, download and print a high-resolution certificate suitable for framing of your results and access to more detailed taxa report of your results - which can be viewed online and downloaded into Excel.

(you heard us!) DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing of up to 7 samples. With this perk, you can collect a stool sample every day of the week (or spread them out over time) and send to us, along with your detailed dietary information etc. See how your New Year’s resolution changed your gut microbes! Or see how much those antibiotics you took for a sniffle affected you. Or your travel to Mexico, where you drank the water. Our microbes change a lot over our lives, but what affects them the most remains largely a mystery.

Shallow shotgun metagenomic analysis of up to four fecal samples (furry family members also ok), including mapping to reference genomes and comparing profiles of genetic similarities and differences among different family members. Shallow shotgun metagenomics means instead of using the 16S rRNA as a marker gene, we fragment all the DNA in the sample, grind it up, sequence it in small pieces, and try to figure out what it is afterwards. The bad news is that much of this information is still mysterious because we don’t know the complete genomes of most of the microbes in there, but the good news is that you can get an insight into the gene functions, not just which microbes are there.

Deeper shotgun metagenome and virome characterization of one sample, plus additional marker gene sequencing (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS, for you sequencing wonks) to characterize not just the bacteria but also the viruses, microbial eukaryotes (like giardia), and fungi in your gut. This Perk allows you to see everything, not just the bacteria, that’s in there. 18S rRNA is similar to 16S rRNA but for eukaryotes (like us); ITS is the internally transcribed spacer, a very fast-evolving region that lets you see very detailed information about the species that are there.

Deeper shotgun metagenomic characterization of up to 7 stool samples, providing an analysis of the variability of functions over time. This could be a great opportunity to see if fasting or extreme diet has an effect on your microbes! We would recommend doing this as a timeseries, either daily, weekly or monthly, to track how you’re doing when you travel or when you change your diet (those New Year’s resolutions again!)

Deep characterization of a single stool sample by shotgun metagenomics, includes best-effort attempt to assemble one or more bacterial genomes out of your gut. You will get a framed poster of the assembled genome showing differences to its close relatives. Only serious need inquire – please email info@amergicangut.org to express your interest before signing up for this one.

RNA expression profiling of up to five samples, which tells you not only who is in your gut but what genes they have turned on. Ideal for seeing responses to probiotic yogurt or other short-term dietary changes! RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is primarily used as the messenger in the cell transmitting DNA to protein: looking at the RNA therefore tells you which genes are switched on, which often happens at much faster time scales than change in the genes or species that are in your gut but can have huge functional consequences in terms of producing metabolites that could affect health. Only serious need inquire – please email info@amergicangut.org to express your interest before signing up for this one.

Be among the first in the world to get the most detailed map of your gut microbiome and help us push the state-of-the-art in high-throughput sequence technology of microbial communities. We will perform ultra-deep sequencing of your microbiome sample aimed at generating as many individual bacterial genomes as possible (we can’t tell you how because the details of the technique are still under wraps prior to publication). Only serious need inquire – please email info@amergicangut.org to express your interest before signing up for this one.