Knowledge

What is the Difference between the Microbiome vs Microbiota?

Often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between your microbiome vs microbiota.

Overall, the microbiota definition describes all living microorganisms in a specific environment. The microbiome definition takes this further, to include the microbes and their genes.

In this way, the microbiome includes the microbiota and their genetic elements1.

References

  1. Berg, Gabriele et al. “Microbiome definition re-visited: old concepts and new challenges.” Microbiome vol. 8,1 103. 30 Jun. 2020, doi: 10.1186/s40168-020-00875-0

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