Functional divergence in gastrointestinal microbiota in physically-separated genetically identical mice

• DOI: 10.1038/srep05437
• Publication Date: 2014-06-25T09:13:49Z
• Authors: G. B. Rogers; J. Kozlowska; J. Keeble; K. Metcalfe; M. Fao; S. E. Dowd; A. J. Mason; M. A. McGuckin; K. D. Bruce
• Keywords: Divergence (linguistics); Genetically engineered

Despite the fundamental contribution of gut microbiota to host physiology, extent its variation in genetically-identical animals used research is not known. We report significant divergence both composition and metabolism adult C57BL/6 mice housed separate controlled units within a single commercial production facility. The reported has potential confound experimental studies using mammalian models.