updated 7-21-10, Interruption of MIM service; MIAME compliant data; see Correspondence ANALYSIS of HOMIM data; see HOMIM recognition The Forsyth Institute Offers State-of-the-Art Technology
for Bacterial Detection and Identification

Since February 2008, the Human Microbial Identification Microarray core (MIM) at The Forsyth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, has provided a specialized service for the rapid determination of bacterial profiles of clinical samples. The first MIM offering focuses on bacterial detection of samples from the human oral cavity, esophagus and lung. Since 1986, Dr. Bruce Paster and Dr. Floyd Dewhirst used molecular analyses based on 16S rRNA sequencing to identify over 600 predominant bacterial species in the oral cavity. About 35% of these species has not yet been cultivated (for details, see the Human Oral Microbiome Database, HOMD). Using this information, they developed for their own research the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray, known as HOMIM, which allows for the simultaneous detection of about 300 of the most prevalent oral bacterial species, including those that have not yet been cultivated. HOMIM is recognized as a valuable research tool by many investigators from academic and private institutions, government, and industry.

Utility of HOMIM
- To determine and compare bacterial associations in oral health and disease, including several forms of periodontitis, caries, gingivitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, endodontic and odontogenic lesions, abscesses, and halitosis
- To determine the effacacy of therapies, e.g., mouthrinses, antibiotic treatment, scaling and root planing, and laser or periodontal surgery
- To determine the progression of oral diseases
- To determine those patients at risk for periodontitis and other oral diseases
- To determine potential biomarkers for non-oral, systemic diseases, e.g., pancreatic cancer, heart disease, and Crohn's Disease

HOMIM has been used to rapidly produce preliminary data for grants, to obtain data for student projects or theses, and to analyze precious, archived frozen samples (e.g., saliva).

A final report and data analyses are emailed to each user. For registered users, data can be also accessed online through a dedicated website. In addition, data are cumulative, so analyses of old data can be potentially compared with new data.

Time frame for HOMIM analyses
Investigators submit DNA isolated from clinical samples (see Sample preparation) and receive comprehensive analysis via email. Our present processing capacity for HOMIM analysis is 80 up to 160 DNA samples per week, but may take longer depending upon the position in the queue.

At this time, HOMIM may not be used for diagnostic purposes and is to be used only for research endeavors.

To learn more about this service and, if there is mutual interest, for potential collaboration, please contact Dr. Paster at bpaster@forsyth.org or 617-892-8288.

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