Nucleic acid-based methods to assess the composition and function of the bowel microbiota.

This article describes nucleic acid-based methods to assess the composition and function of the bowel microbiota. The methods range from the relatively simple (polymerase chain reaction) to the technically sophisticated (metatranscriptomics). Not all are accessible to the majority of laboratories, but a core of validated (used in more than 1 study) tools is readily available to most researchers. Reliance on a single methodology per human study is not recommended. Generally, a study could commence with a screening of samples to determine whether it will be worthwhile expending further time and money on an in-depth analysis.