A team of researchers have uncovered the value of integrating microbiome and host gene expression data to evaluate their combined role in gastrointestinal diseases.

Published in Nature Microbiology, the study looked at more than 400 colonic mucosal samples from patients with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer, in addition to nondisease controls.

While most studies focus on investigating associations in one disease at a time, this study looked at host gene expression and gut microbiome pathways across multiple diseases to identify potential underlying causes of these gastrointestinal disorders.

Learn more on the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine blog.