It is well known that the gut microbiota contributes to health and disease. Many studies have demonstrated that external factors such as diet, geographical location and host genetics are key contributors. However, the relative contribution of these factors in shaping the gut microbiota is unclear, likely due to large interindividual variation.

In an effort to work with genetically homogenous populations, a recent study used C. elegans as a new model to discern contributions of host factors. Berg et al. used the DNeasy PowerSoil Kit to extract DNA from soil and worms. Deep sequencing of 16S rDNA was used to characterize the previously unknown worm gut microbiota as assembled from diverse produce-enriched soil environments under laboratory conditions.

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