Strain Tracking and its Value in Microbiome Health

In our age of fitness trackers and wellness apps, personalized health and wellness is top of mind. Many people are seeking a tailored approach to their individual needs, all the way down to their personal microbiome. These microscopic bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and archaea make up a community that is rich with genetic diversity. 

Not only are the species living in our bodies important to understand. Strains within a species of microbes are just as diverse, and these differences are more important than you might realize. Consider Chihuahuas and Great Danes. While they are both breeds of dogs—the same species (Canis familiaris)—their differences are vast! 

Even minor genetic variations can make significant differences in health outcomes. Bacteria can rapidly adapt and mutate into dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the annual variation in flu virus strains can greatly impact public health. The good news is, this diversity isn't always dangerous! For example, different probiotic strains in supplements and fermented foods can offer unique health benefits. In this post, we'll dive into strains within a species, how strain tracking works, and how this technology helps us better understand the microbiome.

The importance of strain-specific understanding

In our world, we classify living things to help us identify and study them. The Linnaean classification system is a formal hierarchy of living things used by scientists since the 18th century. If you’ve ever taken a biology class, you have used this system! This is where we see terms like genus and species. Humans are genus Homo species sapiens, for example. 

For some living things, we can classify even lower than species, at a subspecies or strain level. This deeper level depends on what type of organism you're classifying. When we study bacteria, for example, the level below species is the strain. Let’s explore how strains within species can have vastly different effects on our health.

Take the example of E. coli, a bacteria with a very bad rap for causing infections.  While some strains of E. coli are harmful and cause disease outbreaks or are antibiotic-resistant, others like E. coli Nissle actually possess probiotic qualities. This strain, known for its positive effects, can suppress immune-mediated damage, increase beneficial immune responses, and improve intestinal health [1].

At Tiny Health, we focus a lot of attention on the infant microbiome and talk a lot about beneficial Bifidobacterium. Research is showing how different strains within this species really do make a difference! The strain EVC001 of Bifidobacterium infantis shows a higher capacity to digest human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) compared to other strains of the same bacteria [2]. This specific ability makes it particularly beneficial for infants' gut health. Here we see how strain-specific knowledge is important in choosing the right infant probiotics.

What is strain tracking in microbiology

Now that we have a grasp of the importance of strain-level detail, let’s talk about strain-tracking technology. Strain tracking in the microbiome world represents a significant advancement for understanding gut health. Going beyond species identification, this innovative technique allows for a more detailed analysis of the gut microbiome than ever before. 

How does strain tracking work? The process begins with extracting and sequencing the DNA from a sample. Sequencing is the process of determining the exact order of the DNA code. The sequenced data is then meticulously examined to identify unique genetic markers. These markers are what set one strain apart from another. This process not only helps us accurately identify the strains present but also provides insights into their unique characteristics. 

As we discussed earlier, this is important because different strains can have vastly different effects on our health.

What are the applications of strain tracking?

Strain tracking is a versatile tool with a wide range of uses, spanning from medical settings and food production to nutrition and disease monitoring. Here are a few key examples:

• Personalized Nutrition and Medicine: Strain tracking allows for personalized gut health strategies. Understanding the unique composition of your gut microbiome can guide customized nutrition plans and medical treatments [3].
• Monitoring Health Interventions: Strain tracking is a valuable tool for monitoring the effectiveness of health interventions, including probiotics and dietary changes, ensuring that these strategies are working as intended [4].
• Understanding Disease Mechanisms: Detailed information about different strains of bacteria helps us understand how they contribute to various health conditions like Crohn's disease, autoimmune disorders, obesity, and others [5].
• Tracking Disease Origins: Strain detection makes it easier to track where microbes come from and how they spread, helping us understand how diseases are transmitted [6].
• Diagnostics: By classifying microbes into different strains, we can better detect variations in bacterial diseases, track their mutations over time, and understand how beneficial strains are exchanged among people and their surroundings [7].

The versatility of strain tracking underscores its transformative potential in healthcare and nutrition. In the next section, we'll share how Tiny Health is harnessing this tool, particularly in enhancing gut health for babies and toddlers.

Tiny Health announces strain tracking technology

Tiny Health is the first company to introduce strain-level resolution for at-home microbiome tests. This exciting development in personal gut and vaginal health testing brings greater insights to every family, helping you make more informed decisions for your health. 

With this enhancement in Tiny Health’s technology, it is possible to check if the probiotics you're taking are present and active in your gut.

This is especially impactful for babies and toddlers because specific probiotic strains are more likely to stick around and “colonize” their gut. Young ones are more likely to benefit from specific probiotic strains that they need, and it’s more likely we will detect those strains in their gut sample.

This ability to identify and understand these strains in infants' guts paves the way for more tailored and effective healthcare strategies. And thanks to Tiny Health, this is something that you can do from home.

For older children and adults taking a gut test, it's important to note that probiotics may not be detected in a stool sample. This is because in a mature gut, many probiotics pass through without colonizing there. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they have no benefit! Certain probiotics may still support the gut health community as they pass through. Strain tracking can still provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your probiotics, contributing to a better understanding of your gut health.

Why choose Tiny Health?

Tiny Health's strain-tracking feature distinctly sets us apart. We are a company committed to improving health outcomes for future generations, and we do that by empowering families with in-depth insights into their microbiome. Here’s how we are different: 

Cutting-edge technology: Tiny Health’s advanced bioinformatics pipeline provides strain-level resolution, the first company to offer this feature through at-home testing.

Family first: While beneficial for all ages, Tiny Health's strain tracking is particularly valuable for babies and toddlers, helping in early health and nutritional decisions.

User-friendly insights: Tiny Health translates complex microbiome data into actionable insights, making it easy for anyone to understand and use.

Tiny Health's strain tracking feature is more than just an advancement in technology; it's a tool that empowers families to make informed decisions about their health. By bridging the gap between complex science and practical, everyday actions, Tiny Health is transforming how we approach gut health, especially in the first 1,000 days, a crucial time for gut development. Let us be an ally in your family’s journey towards personalized health and wellness. Learn more on our strain tracking FAQ and get started with Tiny Health tests today.