Collection of Microbiome Samples of Healthy Western Donors for Fundamental and Functional Microbiome Research

Large numbers of micro-organisms (especially bacteria) live in and on human bodies and have a very important function for the health. These microorganisms are called 'the microbiota'. They aid in the digestion of food, ensure the production of certain vitamins, and are very important for the development and regulation of the immune system. In many diseases (including Crohn's disease, arthritis, obesity, diabetes and cancer), a disruption of microbial composition is observed. There are indications that a disruption of the microbiome can contribute to the development of inflammatory diseases and cancer, but the underlying processes are not sufficiently understood. To understand the mechanisms underlying these disease processes, fundamental research is conducted at Ghent University. Stool, skin, oral and vaginal samples from various origins are examined, e.g. from people from indigenous tribes with a traditional lifestyle. It is important that these samples can be compared with microbiome samples from healthy Western (West-European) controls. In this study, the investigators want to build up a collection of samples from healthy donors between the ages of 2 and 70, with the exception of vaginal samples collected from women between the ages of 18 and 45. The samples will form the basis for further fundamental and functional research into microbiota-host interactions at Ghent University.