https://www.riken.jp/press/2022/20221201_1/index.html

A research group led by Yoshihiko Tomofuji, Ph.D. (Genetic Statistics), Osaka University , and Zuzo Okada, Ph.D. (Genetic Statistics / Team Leader, Systems Genetics Team, RIKEN Center for Biomedical Research has identified the intestinal microflora and reconstructed bacterial and viral genome sequences of 787 Japanese.

Through integrated analysis of the newly developed database and existing databases, the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of the Japanese population, as well as the relationship between diet, disease, racial groups, and intestinal microbiota, including overseas populations, were elucidated.

The constructed intestinal bacteria genome database included bacterial and genetic information related to Japanese food (seaweed and natto).

β crAss-like phage was low in Asian and Western people, while it was high in African and Oceania people. crAss-like phage in multiple subfamilies was decreased in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The results of this study have clarified part of the relationship between diet, disease, racial groups, and intestinal microorganisms, and have led to the establishment of a large-scale intestinal microbial genome database for the Japanese population. The constructed microbial genome database is expected to become an important research resource that will contribute to future medical and biological research.