The Skin Biome Initiative operates out of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego.
General Information
Can I participate if I'm diagnosed with ...?
Of course! There are no medical conditions that would prevent you from participating. In fact, by sharing your health information in our surveys, you help us gain valuable insights into how different conditions may relate to the skin microbiome. However, please note that we do not diagnose, treat, or prevent any diseases as part of this study.
What will I discover about my skin microbiome?
We will show you the various types of microbes found in your sample and how your microbiome compares to that of other participants and populations. As more participants join the program, the additional data will help expand comparisons, providing new and richer insights over time.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent means that you agree to participate in the study. SBI follows a human subjects testing protocol overseen and approved by UC San Diego’s Human Research Protections Program. Before you start participating in research, you must first provide “consent,” meaning you are informed about how your data may be used and agree to participate. Informed consent ensures that all potential participants have enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to take part. During this process, the purpose of the research project is explained, including your role, how the project will work, and the benefits and risks of participation. You will also learn about your rights as a participant. This includes the right to decide whether or not to take part and the right to withdraw at any time.
How can I learn more about my skin microbiome?
Our website has several science-backed research articles on the skin microbiome. However, the information on this website is not a substitute for a discussion with a healthcare provider. You may learn additional information about your skin if you decide to participate. Still, it is important to remember that a healthcare provider is the best source of medical advice regarding skin conditions.
How does my participation contribute to academic research?
Your contribution to our academic research supports our overall mission. It’s crucial to note that we are a not-for-profit organization, and unlike a conventional business, our operations rely on a small, dedicated team of university researchers and volunteers who work diligently to facilitate your participation. Consequently, our level of service support may differ from what you’d encounter with a business. We are committed to enhancing your experience, and as we gather momentum and learn from the research, our kits, online questionnaires, and reports will continually evolve and improve. Your support plays a vital role in our ongoing progress.
What will help me prepare to participate?
In order to be prepared to participate, it’s important to read through our instructions thoroughly. Before taking a sample, plan ahead by completing all the steps in your online account and note the steps involved before collecting a skin sample.
Can I make changes to my Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) after submitting it?
Once your FFQ has been submitted, it cannot be edited. To ensure the accuracy of your report, please review all responses carefully before submitting.
Can I withdraw from participating?
Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may refuse to participate or withdraw at any time. If you no longer wish to participate in this study, you may withdraw your consent by deleting your profile through your online account portal.
If I live outside of the U.S., can I participate in the project?
No. Participation is only open to individuals within the 50 U.S. states at this time. Unfortunately, we cannot ship kits to P.O. boxes, U.S. territories, or military addresses at this time. However, you can join our interest list to be notified if we expand to your region in the future.
Collection Kits
My collection kit arrived in extreme temperatures. Could this affect my sample?
No. The Collection kits are designed to withstand temperature variations during transit, so your sample should remain unaffected. Please store the kit at room temperature until you’re ready to use it.
What do I do with the information card?
Keep your information card for future reference. The information card is the document where you record the sample collection kit barcode, collection date, and time.
Where is my shipping label?
To find your label, please remove the kit’s outer cardboard sleeve. The FedEx return label should be attached to the back of the box and appear next to a big black diamond marked UN3373, as shown.
Sample Submission
Does the sample(s) need to be received by the lab within 48 hours?
We recommend that you return the kit within 48 hours of collection. If that is not possible, the collection preservatives are intended to stabilize your sample for several weeks. Friday shipments are also okay, as the sample will remain stable over the weekend until it reaches our lab.
What should I do if I can't read the barcode on the collection tube?
If you’re having trouble, take a clear photo of the barcode with your phone and zoom in for a better view. A magnifying glass or someone to assist you may be useful as well.
Should I include the information card when I return my kit?
No, do not include the information card when returning your kit. The information card is for your personal records. It helps you remember important details about your sample, like the date and time of collection and products used, which you’ll need to enter online. To process your sample, make sure to log this information in your account under the matching barcode ID before returning your sample.
Is it okay to return my sample before I’ve registered my kit?
DO NOT return your sample before registering your kit. We can only process your sample if it’s registered in your account and all required information is entered online. Be sure to register your kit and complete the necessary steps in your account before sending your sample back.
What happens if I receive an email stating that my sample failed?
On such occasions, our team will notify you of the sample failure. There are many reasons why this might happen, and it is not always known why some samples work better than others. Please be aware that in cases such as this, you will not receive a microbiome report.
At The Lab
What will happen to my sample?
Once our lab at UC San Diego receives your sample, it goes through a multi-step process to extract and analyze its information.
Step 1 – Sample Preparation
Using the barcode on your specimen collection tube, we scan the sample and verify it’s all set for processing. Most importantly, we must ensure that you have completed the consent process online. If we are missing something, you will receive an email on how to correct the issue. In these cases, we store samples in our -20°C freezers to maintain sample quality until you have completed the necessary steps. Finally, if a sample meets the requirements for processing, we prepare it for molecular work.
Step 2 – DNA Extraction and Sequencing
After we extract genomic DNA from your sample, we use a process called metagenomic sequencing to grab random snippets from all of the DNA found in your sample. Then, those snippets are sequenced on a sequencing instrument. This process reads the DNA through chemical processes that result in flashes of light, which are interpreted by the sequencing instrument as nucleotides (e.g., As, Ts, Gs, and Cs). If you are interested in learning more about the molecular process, our full protocol is available here.
Step 3 – Analysis
We use a data analysis software tool called https://qiime2.org to help us analyze the millions (sometimes billions) of DNA sequences from all the samples we receive and ultimately generate your report. Because the amount of sequence data we analyze is so large, we use supercomputers in what are called high-performance computing systems.
What is metagenomic sequencing?
This method allows researchers to assess the types of microorganisms present in a sample by taking random snippets from all of the DNA found in a sample and sequencing them. This technique generates data from all over the genomes of the different organisms that are present, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Where can I access the public data repositories?
All of the health, lifestyle, and microbial sequencing data that we collect are made public through the European Bioinformatics Institute and Qiita, enabling researchers worldwide to ask groundbreaking questions using the SBI dataset.
Will my DNA be sequenced?
A sample you provide contains cells and DNA from your body as well as from microbes. Although the process of metagenomic sequencing does generate data from DNA in human cells, these data are carefully removed before any analysis or data deposition using the standard practices from the National Institutes of Health.
Security & Public Data
Is my report anonymous and confidential?
YES. Data that allows you to be directly identified, such as your name and address are kept under lock and key on our secure servers, physically located in a 24/7 monitored access controlled facility on UC San Diego’s campus, and is only accessible to relevant staff such as Dr. Knight, Co-Investigators, project and sample coordinators, IT administrators and database coders. In addition, we link your dietary and lifestyle data to your sample through a unique internal identifier, and only the researchers who work directly with SBI data have access to identifiers relative to personal data. Your directly identifying information will be destroyed by deletion from our secure servers at the end of the study or if you withdraw from the study.
Our project and all aspects have been reviewed by UC San Diego’s Office of IRB Administration (OIA) to ensure our research is in accordance with government and ethical guidelines. Despite these measures, loss of confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. But know that we take every precaution to protect your identity and minimize the risks.
Please see our Privacy Statement for more information.
Where can I access the public data repositories?
All of the health, lifestyle, and microbial sequencing data that we collect are made public through the European Bioinformatics Institute and Qiita, enabling researchers worldwide to ask groundbreaking questions using the SBI dataset.
Reports
Can you provide any health suggestions based on my report?
No. Skin Biome Initiative focuses on conducting research and generating knowledge. We do not offer any health, diagnostic, or preventative information. Our goal is to contribute to the scientific community to better the understanding of the microbiome and its impact on human health.
