MHRA-led study finds major inconsistencies in global microbiome research

13th November 2025

MHRA-led study finds major inconsistencies in global microbiome research

Summary: An MHRA-led, multi-country study found wide variation in how laboratories profile the gut microbiome—even when analysing identical samples—with species identification accuracy ranging from 63% to 100% and false positives from 0% to 41%. Using WHO International DNA Gut Reference Reagents, the project set Minimum Quality Criteria that labs can use to validate methods and improve comparability. The standards and reagents (available via NIBSC) are intended to boost confidence in microbiome evidence used to guide care and future therapies. 

Link: MHRA-led study reveals major inconsistencies in global microbiome research

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