Illumina, Inc., the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, has announced that it has united with leaders in precision gut microbiome science Microba Life Sciences, based in Australia, to advance understanding of the human gut microbiome in human health and disease.

The partnership will bring together Microba’s high-quality proprietary gut microbiome analysis platform with Illumina’s revolutionising Next Generation Sequencing tools to generate the accurate metagenomic data researchers require to make new discoveries.

Focusing activities in Asia Pacific and Japan, the duo will work together to enable research studies that reveal connections between the microbiome and human health from mental health and Parkinson’s disease to nutrition and sleep.

Microba CEO Blake Wills said the partnership would further accelerate the adoption of gut microbiome profiling for research into human disease.

“There remains huge potential for research to enhance our understanding of the role the gut microbiome plays in health and disease states,” he said. “Combining Microba’s deep analysis capability with Illumina’s advanced technology, this potential is being realised.”