Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity

Abstract The gut microbiome plays a central role in orchestrating metabolic, immune, and neurological functions essential for human health. While extensive research has explored the effects of diseases and pathological conditions on gut microbiome composition, the influence of demographic factors re...

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Main Authors: Hannaneh Kabir, Matilda Holtz, Justine Choueiri, Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-08-01
Series:AMB Express
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01921-6
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author Hannaneh Kabir
Matilda Holtz
Justine Choueiri
Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad
author_facet Hannaneh Kabir
Matilda Holtz
Justine Choueiri
Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad
author_sort Hannaneh Kabir
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The gut microbiome plays a central role in orchestrating metabolic, immune, and neurological functions essential for human health. While extensive research has explored the effects of diseases and pathological conditions on gut microbiome composition, the influence of demographic factors remains underexplored, limiting our understanding of microbiome variations in disease states. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of demographic variables, including age, sex, and geography, on gut microbiome diversity in healthy individuals. Using the American Gut Project’s extensive dataset and the QIIME2 bioinformatics pipeline, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of microbial profiles across diverse demographic groups. Our results revealed significant age-related shifts in microbial richness and composition, and geographic location strongly influenced phylogenetic diversity. In contrast, sex exhibited limited impact on microbial diversity within healthy BMI ranges. These findings highlight the critical role of demographic factors in shaping gut microbiome diversity, providing a foundational framework to better contextualize disease-related microbiome variations and advance personalized healthcare approaches.
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spelling doaj-art-13a49239dfd74e66ba4fb86ce9388b072025-08-20T03:06:08ZengSpringerOpenAMB Express2191-08552025-08-0115111710.1186/s13568-025-01921-6Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversityHannaneh Kabir0Matilda Holtz1Justine Choueiri2Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad3Molecular Cell Biomechanics Lab, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California BerkeleyMolecular Cell Biomechanics Lab, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California BerkeleyMolecular Cell Biomechanics Lab, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California BerkeleyMolecular Cell Biomechanics Lab, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California BerkeleyAbstract The gut microbiome plays a central role in orchestrating metabolic, immune, and neurological functions essential for human health. While extensive research has explored the effects of diseases and pathological conditions on gut microbiome composition, the influence of demographic factors remains underexplored, limiting our understanding of microbiome variations in disease states. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of demographic variables, including age, sex, and geography, on gut microbiome diversity in healthy individuals. Using the American Gut Project’s extensive dataset and the QIIME2 bioinformatics pipeline, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of microbial profiles across diverse demographic groups. Our results revealed significant age-related shifts in microbial richness and composition, and geographic location strongly influenced phylogenetic diversity. In contrast, sex exhibited limited impact on microbial diversity within healthy BMI ranges. These findings highlight the critical role of demographic factors in shaping gut microbiome diversity, providing a foundational framework to better contextualize disease-related microbiome variations and advance personalized healthcare approaches.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01921-6Gut microbiome diversityDemographic factorsAlpha diversityBeta diversityQIIME2 analysisMicrobial community composition
spellingShingle Hannaneh Kabir
Matilda Holtz
Justine Choueiri
Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad
Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
AMB Express
Gut microbiome diversity
Demographic factors
Alpha diversity
Beta diversity
QIIME2 analysis
Microbial community composition
title Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
title_full Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
title_fullStr Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
title_full_unstemmed Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
title_short Demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
title_sort demographic drivers of gut microbiome diversity
topic Gut microbiome diversity
Demographic factors
Alpha diversity
Beta diversity
QIIME2 analysis
Microbial community composition
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01921-6
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AT matildaholtz demographicdriversofgutmicrobiomediversity
AT justinechoueiri demographicdriversofgutmicrobiomediversity
AT mohammadrezakaazempurmofrad demographicdriversofgutmicrobiomediversity