Be a Microbiome Donor
What is the gut microbiome?
A microbiome is a collection of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in an environment. The human gut in particular is home to a large microbiome. These microbes in our gut help us in important functions that are essential for human development, immunity and digestion. The human gut microbiome can weigh up to 2kg!
The dysfunction of the gut microbiome has been associated with autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and obesity. One such dysfunction can occur when helpful bacteria in the gut are killed during antibiotic treatment, giving rise to the over-proliferation of harmful bacteria such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff) that can result in severe diarrhoea and life-threatening inflammation of the colon. In such circumstances, a Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) can help restore the microbiome.
What will my stool be used for?
Your donation will be used to advance microbiome research and treatment which will potentially save the lives of patients suffering from C. diff infections and other diseases.
Becoming a microbiome donor
Click on the online questionnaire to assess your eligibility today, and you are just a few steps away to advancing science and saving lives.
1
Questionnaire
Complete our online questionnaire to assess your basic eligibility to become a microbiome donor.
2
Medical History
You will be required to provide us with your medical history and we will get back to you within 2 weeks.
3
Clinical interview (FMT Donors)
Book an appointment for an interview with our doctor.
4
Blood & Stool Sample (FMT Donors)
We will arrange for a same-day blood and stool test.
5
Become a donor!
Congratulations, you’re one of the few eligible to become a microbiome donor!
Find out more about our FMT Donor and Microbiome Donor programmes in the FAQ sections below.
FAQ
Have a question? Find answers to commonly-asked questions below.
A microbiome refers to a community of microbes found in a particular habitat. They can be found in the environment around us, such as in air, water, and soil. They can also be found on and inside our bodies, such as on our skin and in our gut.
Your gut microbiome is a community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes living in your gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the large intestine. The gut microbiome plays a very important role in your health by helping control your digestion and immune system. It also has an influence on many other aspects of health.
A Faecal Microbiota Transplant, or FMT, is also known as a stool transplantation or bacteriotherapy. It is a procedure in which faecal matter (stool) is collected from a healthy donor, processed, and placed into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient.
It is used to treat patients suffering from Clostridium difficile infections.
An FMT donor is a healthy person who regularly donates their stool for use in faecal microbiota transplants.
1. Age between 21 and 55
3. Healthy with no known disease
4. Not on any long-term medication
5. No history of cancer, chronic asthma, allergies, autoimmune disease, diabetes, hypertension
6. No tattoos or piercings in the last 6 months
Yes, they can, if they meet the basic requirements as stated in the previous question.
Yes, you can. You will need to have a valid visa and be in Singapore for at least 6 months moving forward.
You need to be 21 years and above to participate in this programme.
Each donation cycle is up to 3 months.
Yes you can, but for the program to work more effectively, we would prefer for you to continue for 2 cycles (each lasting 3 months) before taking a break.
FMT is currently a widely accepted treatment patients with Clostridium difficile infection.
Please contact us at donor@amili.org.
A microbiome donor is a someone who provides their gut microbiome profile as a form of information for future research. Unlike FMT donors, anyone can be a microbiome donor. This information is extremely crucial for the advancement of microbiome research and every donor counts.
You will be required to give us one small stool sample using our stool collection kit (that will be mailed to you) and answer some questions about your diet and lifestyle. You also have to consent to release your de-identified information for research purposes.
There are no prerequisites for becoming a microbiome donor.
Your stool sample will be anonymised and sequenced using our metagenomic shotgun sequencing technology. Only your gut microbiome profile will be included in our digital library.
No, all your personal information will be kept confidential. Only anonymised data related to this programme will be shared in accordance with the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act, 2012 (PDPA).
All personal data are protected by password and housed in AMILI's internal server as required by the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act, 2012 (PDPA). Only two individuals across our team have access to this server. All responses will be separated from personal data.
Be a microbiome donor today
As an FMT donor, you will be able to positively impact the lives of up to five people suffering from C. diff infection per donation. However, as only a few are eligible to become FMT donors, it is important that we find them. Find out if you are one of the few capable of making that difference.