Collapse of human scalp microbiome network in dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.

We investigate the relationship between scalp microbiota and dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis (D/SD), an unpleasant scalp disorder common in human populations. Bacterial and fungal community analyses on scalp of 102 Korean were performed by next-generation sequencing. Overall scalp microbiome composition significantly differed between normal and disease groups, and especially co-occurrence network of dominant members was breakdown in disease groups. These findings will provide novel insights into shifts of microbial community relevant to D/SD.

Segregation of age-related skin microbiome characteristics by functionality.

Although physiological changes are the most evident indicators of skin aging by alteration of the skin's structure and function, we question whether skin aging is also affected by the structure and assembly process of the skin microbiome. We analysed the skin microbiomes of 73 healthy Chinese women in two age groups (25-35 years old and 56-63 years old) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing; the overall microbiome structure was significantly different between the two age groups. An analysis using ecological theory to evaluate the process of microbial community assembly processes revealed that the microbiomes of the older group were formed under a greater influence of the niche-based process, with the network of microbes being more collapsed than that of the younger group. Inferred metagenomic functional pathways associated with replication and repair were relatively more predominant in the younger group whereas, among the various metabolism-related pathways, those associated with biodegradation were more predominant in the older group. Interestingly, we found two segregated sub-typing patterns in the younger group which were also observed in the skin microbiomes of young Chinese women living in four other cities in China. The results of our study highlights candidate microbes and functional pathways that are important for future research into preventing skin aging and which could lead to a comprehensive understanding of age-related skin microbiome characteristics.