The New Science of Metagenomics and the Challenges of Its Use in Both Developed and Developing Countries

Abstract

Our view of the microbial world and its impact on human health is changing radically with the ability to sequence uncultured or unculturable microbes sampled directly from their habitats, ability made possible by fast and cheap nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) technologies. Such recent developments represent a paradigmatic shift in the analysis of habitat biodiversity, be it the human, soil, or ocean microbiome. We review here some research examples and results that indicate the importance of microbiomes in our lives and then discus some of the challenges faced by metagenomic experiments and the subsequent analysis of the generated data. We then analyze the economic and social impact on genomic medicine and research in both developing and developed countries. We support the idea that there are signifi cant benefi ts in building capacities for developing high-level scientifi c research in metagenomics in developing countries. Indeed, the notion that developing countries should wait for developed countries to make advances in science and technology that they later import at great cost has recently been challenged.

Microbial characteristics of dental caries in HIV positive individuals

“…With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, it is now possible to study the intricate relationships that exist in microbial communities ( 6 ), including those found in the oral cavity. Furthermore, the application of this technology in medicine, clinical metagenomics NGS (mNGS), is one of the fastest growing areas of medicine in the developed world ( 7 ).…”