Topographical and Temporal Diversity of the Human Skin Microbiome
- Resource Type
- research-article
- Authors
- NISC Comparative Sequencing Program; Grice, Elizabeth A.; Kong, Heidi H.; Conlan, Sean; Deming, Clayton B.; Davis, Joie; Young, Alice C.; Bouffard, Gerard G.; Blakesley, Robert W.; Murray, Patrick R.; Green, Eric D.; Turner, Maria L.; Segre, Julia A.
- Source
- Science, 2009 May . 324(5931), 1190-1192.
- Subject
- Skin
Microbiota
Community structure
Medical research
Research facilities
Microorganisms
Staphylococcal skin infections
Volunteerism
Species diversity
Disorders
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 00368075
10959203
Human skin is a large, heterogeneous organ that protects the body from pathogens while sustaining microorganisms that influence human health and disease. Our analysis of 165 ribosomal RNA gene sequences obtained from 20 distinct skin sites of healthy humans revealed that physiologically comparable sites harbor similar bacterial communities. The complexity and stability of the microbial community are dependent on the specific characteristics of the skin site. This topographical and temporal survey provides a baseline for studies that examine the role of bacterial communities in disease states and the microbial interdependencies required to maintain healthy skin.