MetaXplore GI Plus: Australia’s Advanced Microbiome Test
Quick Answer
MetaXplore GI Plus, developed by Microba in Brisbane, Australia, uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing to profile the entire gut microbiome rather than targeting individual pathogens. Unlike qPCR-based panels such as GI-Map, this approach may characterise microbial diversity, functional gene pathways, and metabolic capacity. Results are compared against healthy Australian reference cohorts, which can improve clinical relevance for local patients.
This shift reflects a change in scientific understanding: long-term gut health appears to be associated not only with the absence of pathogens, but with gut microbiome diversity, resilience, and metabolic function.
At a Glance
- MetaXplore GI Plus by Microba uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing to identify bacteria, archaea, and fungi in a single stool sample.
- Unlike qPCR-based tests such as GI-Map from Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, metagenomics may profile the entire microbial ecosystem rather than a fixed panel of targets.
- Australian reference cohort data may improve the contextual relevance of results compared with US-normed databases.
- Functional gene pathway analysis can reveal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production capacity, gut barrier integrity markers, and immune signalling potential.
- Microbiome test results are informational, not diagnostic, and are best interpreted alongside clinical assessment by a qualified practitioner.
Pathogen-Focused Testing Has Shaped Clinical Practice for Over a Decade
For many years, GI-Map testing by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory has been used clinically to help identify bacterial and parasitic organisms associated with digestive symptoms. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology enables detection of organisms including Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile, and Giardia lamblia with high sensitivity. Over time, however, it has become increasingly clear that gut health is best understood as a complex biological system rather than a simple “good versus bad bacteria” model.
Microbial Diversity and Functional Capacity Are Emerging as Key Indicators of Gut Stability
Current microbiome research, including work by Catherine Lozupone and colleagues at the University of Colorado, suggests that microbial diversity and functional capacity are associated with gut stability and broader health outcomes (1-4).
| Concept | Definition | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Microbial diversity | The number and balance of different microbial species present (alpha and beta diversity indices) | Higher diversity is associated with greater ecosystem resilience and may correlate with reduced risk of dysbiosis |
| Functional capacity | What microbes are capable of doing, including producing short-chain fatty acids (butyrate, propionate, acetate) | May support gut barrier integrity, immune modulation via regulatory T cells, and colonocyte energy metabolism |
qPCR and Shotgun Metagenomics Differ Fundamentally in Scope and Resolution
qPCR (GI-Map)
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a molecular method that detects and quantifies predefined microbial targets using species-specific DNA primers. Research by Verweij and colleagues in Clinical Microbiology Reviews confirms it is highly sensitive and specific, but limited to organisms included in the test panel (5).
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing (MetaXplore GI Plus)
Shotgun metagenomics, as described by Quince et al. in Nature Biotechnology, sequences all microbial DNA present in a stool sample. This enables identification of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and other microorganisms without relying on a predetermined checklist (6-8). Franzosa and colleagues at the Huttenhower Lab (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) have demonstrated species-level functional profiling capabilities using this approach.
| Feature | GI-Map (qPCR) | MetaXplore GI Plus (Shotgun Metagenomics) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Quantitative polymerase chain reaction | Shotgun metagenomic sequencing |
| Scope | Predefined panel of ~30-40 targets | Entire microbial community (thousands of species) |
| Diversity assessment | Not available | Alpha and beta diversity indices |
| Functional pathways | Not assessed | Gene-level functional pathway analysis |
| Reference population | US-based norms | Australian reference cohort (Microba) |
| Provider | Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory (USA) | Microba (Brisbane, Australia) |
Australian Reference Data May Improve Clinical Relevance for Local Patients
Microbiome composition varies based on diet, geography, environment, and lifestyle, as demonstrated by Yatsunenko et al. in Nature and Rothschild et al.’s large-scale twin study (9-11). MetaXplore GI Plus compares results against healthy Australian reference cohorts curated by Microba, which may improve contextual relevance for Australian patients compared with US-normed databases used by international testing providers.
Symptom Recurrence After Pathogen Clearance Suggests Ecosystem-Level Factors
Limitations of a Pathogen-Only Model
Pathogen-focused testing can be effective for identifying acute infections, but some individuals experience symptom recurrence after initial improvement, shifts in microbial balance following antimicrobial treatment, or persistent dysbiosis despite pathogen clearance. Alessio Fasano’s research on zonulin and intestinal permeability highlights how barrier function may be disrupted independently of specific pathogen presence (11).
Functional and System-Level Insights
MetaXplore GI Plus reports on microbial diversity indices, functional gene pathways, and gastrointestinal health markers. Key biomarkers assessed include:
| Biomarker | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|
| Faecal calprotectin | Marker of intestinal inflammation; may help differentiate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) |
| Lactoferrin | Iron-binding glycoprotein associated with neutrophil activity and mucosal inflammation |
| Pancreatic elastase-1 | Indicator of exocrine pancreatic function and digestive enzyme sufficiency |
| Secretory IgA (sIgA) | Mucosal immune marker reflecting gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) activity |
Microbiome Data May Inform Targeted Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Dietary Interventions
Microbiome test results are informational rather than diagnostic. When clinically appropriate, they may help inform targeted prebiotic and dietary interventions based on identified microbial deficiencies, selective probiotic use guided by species-level data rather than generic formulations, and support for digestive and immune function through personalised nutritional strategies. Justin Sonnenburg and Erica Sonnenburg at Stanford University have published extensively on how diet-microbiota interactions may moderate human metabolism (2).
Comprehensive Microbiome Testing May Benefit Individuals With Complex Gut Presentations
Comprehensive microbiome testing may be considered for individuals with persistent digestive symptoms despite standard care, recovering from antibiotic exposure or prolonged hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress, or exploring gut health in the context of chronic or unexplained symptoms including conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) or fibromyalgia.
Broader Microbiome Assessment May Offer Additional Clinical Context When Used Judiciously
The evolution of gut health testing reflects advances in microbiome science, including contributions from the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and the American Gut Project. No single test provides all the answers, but broader microbiome assessment may offer additional clinical context when used judiciously alongside conventional investigations.
Learn more about comprehensive microbiome testing and how results are interpreted in a clinical setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Insights
- Gut health testing is shifting from pathogen detection to whole-ecosystem assessment using metagenomic sequencing
- MetaXplore GI Plus by Microba uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing for comprehensive microbial profiling of bacteria, archaea, and fungi
- Australian reference data from Microba may improve the contextual relevance of results for local patients
- Functional capacity and microbial diversity (alpha and beta indices) are key indicators of long-term gut stability
- Microbiome test results are informational and should be interpreted alongside clinical assessment by a qualified practitioner
Citable Takeaways
- MetaXplore GI Plus, developed by Australian biotechnology company Microba, uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing to profile the entire gut microbial community, compared with the approximately 30-40 predefined targets assessed by qPCR-based panels such as GI-Map.
- Lozupone et al. (2012) in Nature demonstrated that microbial diversity and ecosystem resilience are associated with long-term gut stability and broader health outcomes.
- Shotgun metagenomics can identify bacteria, archaea, fungi, and other microorganisms without a predetermined checklist, as described by Quince et al. (2017) in Nature Biotechnology.
- MetaXplore GI Plus compares patient results against healthy Australian reference cohorts, which may improve clinical relevance given that microbiome composition varies by geography, diet, and environment (Yatsunenko et al., 2012; Rothschild et al., 2018).
- Functional gene pathway analysis can assess short-chain fatty acid production capacity, gut barrier integrity markers, and immune signalling pathways, as demonstrated by Franzosa et al. (2018) at the Huttenhower Lab, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- Gastrointestinal biomarkers reported alongside microbiome data include faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, pancreatic elastase-1, and secretory IgA (sIgA), each providing distinct clinical information about inflammation, digestive function, and mucosal immunity.
Move Beyond Guesswork With Advanced Microbiome Testing
If persistent digestive symptoms have left you searching for answers, comprehensive microbiome testing may offer the clarity you need. At Elemental Health and Nutrition, we use advanced functional testing including MetaXplore GI Plus to guide personalised gut health strategies.
References
- Lozupone CA et al. Diversity, stability and resilience of the human gut microbiota. Nature. 2012;489(7415):220-30.
- Sonnenburg JL et al. Diet-microbiota interactions as moderators of human metabolism. Nature. 2016;535(7610):56-64.
- Valdes AM et al. Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ. 2018;361:k2179.
- Lloyd-Price J et al. The healthy human microbiome. Genome Med. 2016;8(1):51.
- Verweij JJ et al. Molecular testing for clinical diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2014;27(2):371-418.
- Quince C et al. Shotgun metagenomics, from sampling to analysis. Nat Biotechnol. 2017;35(9):833-844.
- Franzosa EA et al. Species-level functional profiling of metagenomes. Nat Methods. 2018;15(11):962-968.
- De Filippo C et al. Impact of diet in shaping gut microbiota. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010;107(33):14691-6.
- Yatsunenko T et al. Human gut microbiome viewed across age and geography. Nature. 2012;486(7402):222-7.
- Rothschild D et al. Environment dominates over host genetics in shaping human gut microbiota. Nature. 2018;555(7695):210-215.
- Fasano A. Zonulin and its regulation of intestinal barrier function. Physiol Rev. 2011;91(1):151-75.
- Scheffler L et al. Widely used permeability markers fail to reflect intestinal barrier function. Gut. 2018;67(7):1240-1249.
