Probiotics and methods of obtaining same

Abstract

This disclosure describes novel probiotics, and also describes novel methods by which such probiotics can be obtained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying, in vivo, a microbial strain that has a symbiotic relationship with a prebiotic, comprising:
 administering at least one dose of the prebiotic to at least one subject;   collecting a sample comprising gastrointestinal microbiota from the at least one subject; and   identifying one or more microbial strains that are increased in the sample collected from the subject relative to a baseline sample collected from the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 isolating the one or more microbial strains that are increased in the sample collected from the subject.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 genotyping the one or more microbial strains that are increased in the sample collected from the subject.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the genotyping comprises sequencing the 16S rDNA. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of GOS, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and inulin. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administering step comprises administering the prebiotic to the at least one subject in sequentially higher doses over time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administering step lasts for at least a week. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a fecal sample.