Best Practice Guidelines for Collecting Microbiome Samples in Research Studies

Microbiome research has the potential to provide valuable information regarding the complex relationship between microbial communities and the human body. To help facilitate the translation of this potentially revolutionary research to clinical medicine, common guidelines and best practices are necessary. These guidelines should be based on the key findings of recent research in the field and address the primary areas of discrepancy in the previously published literature. Based on this review's findings, future microbiome research should adopt a consistent and clear approach to nomenclature, using standardized terminology to mitigate confusion. Additionally, only sample collection methods proven to reduce the risk of contamination should be utilized. While sample storage often creates difficulty in microbiome research, there are proven techniques that can improve results. With the wide array of research methodologies in the literature, standardization of metadata collection, kits, and analysis software could also be beneficial. Finally, documentation and records are critical in ensuring reproducibility, as is the case with all basic research. This brief review provides a foundation for evidence-based guidelines in microbiome research. PATIENT SUMMARY: This report outlines general guidelines and best practices for conducting microbiome research, which could significantly advance the field of medicine.