SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Genome announced today an initiative with the American Gut project to explore the connection between the human microbiome and type 2 diabetes. The cooperation will bring together American Gut's broad citizen science network for microbiome sample collection with Second Genome's efforts in identifying microbiome modulators and novel therapeutics. Second Genome has made an undisclosed donation to American Gut to subsidize specimen collection for participants with type 2 diabetes.

It is believed that the human microbiome plays an important role in the maintenance of good health, and that alterations to the balance of these microbial populations may have a negative impact on immunity and metabolism. American Gut has built the world's largest open-source, community driven effort to characterize the microbiomes of everyday people in order to understand the connections between environmental factors and microbiome changes.

"By working with the American Gut project and its preeminent group of microbiome scientists, we have the opportunity to accelerate the clinical impact of this citizen science effort to build the world's leading reference dataset of microbiomes," said Peter DiLaura, President and CEO of Second Genome. "Second Genome is focusing on patients with type 2 diabetes as one part of its effort to translate microbiome science into the discovery and development of microbiome modulators with therapeutic potential."

"Second Genome brings a special focus on tackling specific clinical questions, including the impact that changes in the human microbiome have in patients with type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Rob Knight, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Colorado - Boulder and project lead for American Gut. "We are pleased to partner in this way with Second Genome and look forward to exciting new discoveries from this research."

About Second Genome

Second Genome brings microbiome science to the discovery and development of therapeutic products. The company has established a pipeline of microbiome modulators that impact infection, immunity and metabolic diseases. Second Genome's development pipeline is fueled by novel technologies for identifying, screening and scientifically validating product candidates and microbial biomarkers. Second Genome's technologies have been rigorously validated through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and nutrition companies, as well as academic and governmental research institutions.  Please visit www.secondgenome.com for more information.

SOURCE Second Genome