Publications
S’Wipe: user-friendly stool collection for high-throughput gut metabolomics and multi-omics
The microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key factor in health. Intestinal microbiota modulates gut homeostasis via a range of diverse metabolites. In particular, molecules such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the microbial fermentation products of dietary fiber, have been established to be reflective of microbiome and/or dietary shifts, and SCFAs alterations have been linked to multiple gastrointestinal disorders, from cancer to colitis. Despite their potential as biomarkers, technical challenges in stool collection have limited clinical translation. Here, we present Stool Wipe (S’Wipe), an ultra-low-cost fecal collection method using lint-free, mass spectrometry (MS)-compatible cellulose wipes as toilet paper. Specimens are preserved in ethanol without refrigeration and can be shipped via regular mail. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that S’Wipe captures both volatile and non-volatile metabolites with reproducibility and stability validated for diagnostically relevant molecules. We show that S’Wipe performs equivalently to direct stool collection, enabling interchangeable use and comparison with existing studies. This methodology is ideally suited for large-scale population studies, longitudinal tracking, and personalized medicine applications.
Authors: Dana Moradi, Ali Lotfi, Alexey V Melnik, Aleksandr Smirnov, Konstantin Pobozhev, Hannah Monahan, Evguenia Kopylova, Yanjiao Zhou, Alexander A Aksenov
Publisher/Journal: American Society for Microbiology — mSystems
Article Link: https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/msystems.01459-25
Canine detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2
The research article “Sniffing out safety: canine detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection from armpit sweat” focuses on the use of detection dogs to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection through armpit sweat odor. The study collected sweat samples from positive and negative human patients, confirmed by qPCR tests, across multiple hospitals and organizations in Belgium. These samples were then used to train six dogs under controlled conditions for 2-3 months.
Pre-and Post-Portosystemic Shunt Placement Metabolomics
Pre-and Post-Portosystemic Shunt Placement Metabolomics Reveal Molecular Signatures for the Development of Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of advanced liver disease causing brain dysfunction. This is likely due to the accumulation of unfiltered toxins within the bloodstream. A known risk factor for developing or worsening HE is the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), which connects the pre-hepatic and post-hepatic circulation, allowing some blood to bypass the dysfunctional liver and decreases portal hypertension. Continue reading →
The molecular effect of wearing silver-threaded clothing skin
With growing awareness that what we put in and on our bodies affects our health and well-being, little is still known about the impact of textiles on the human skin. Athletic wear often uses silver threading to improve hygiene, but little is known about its effect on the body’s largest organ. In this study, we investigated the impact of such clothing on the skin’s chemistry and microbiome. Samples were collected from different body sites of a dozen volunteers over the course of 12 weeks.