Genetic insights into the dark matter of the mammalian gut microbiota through targeted genome reconstruction

Whole metagenomic shotgun (WMS) sequencing has dramatically enhanced our ability to study microbial genomics. The possibility to unveil the genetic makeup of bacteria that cannot be easily isolated has significantly expanded our microbiological horizon. Here, we report an approach aimed at uncovering novel bacterial species by the use of targeted WMS sequencing. Employing in silico data retrieved from metabolic modelling to formulate a chemically defined medium (CDM), we were able to isolate and subsequently sequence the genomes of six putative novel species of bacteria from the gut of non-human primates.

Automated summary

Utilizing in silico data obtained from metabolic modeling to design a chemically defined medium (CDM), this study successfully isolated and sequenced genomes of six putative novel bacterial species from the gut of non-human primates.