The Science Behind Biomine: How We Decode Your Gut Microbiome

More Than Just a Gut Feeling

At Biomine, we believe that better health starts with understanding what’s going on inside your body, starting with your gut. Our science-backed Gut Microbiome Test is built for South Africans who are tired of guesswork and want clarity. But what exactly is the science behind it?

Let’s break it down.

What Is the Gut Microbiome?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes. This

community, known as your gut microbiome, plays a huge role in your digestion, immunity, energy, mood, and even ageing.

An imbalanced microbiome can show up as bloating, fatigue, brain fog, food sensitivities, or inflammation. That’s where we come in.

Why Your Gut Microbiome Matters More Than You Might Think

We often think of the gut as just a digestive organ, the place where food gets broken down. But in reality, your gut is home to one of the most powerful ecosystems in your entire body: your microbiome.

This inner world is made up of trillions of bacteria, most of which are hard at work helping you stay healthy. Some produce vitamins. Others help break down fibre, manage inflammation, support your immune system, or even influence your mood and energy levels.

In fact, researchers now link the gut microbiome to a wide range of health areas, including:

• Energy and metabolism: Some gut microbes help extract energy from food more efficiently, while others influence how your body stores fat.

• Digestion and bloating: Imbalances can lead to symptoms like bloating, constipation, or irregularity.

• Inflammation and immunity: Around 70% of your immune system lives in the gut. Microbes help train it, balance it, and keep inflammatory signals in check.

• Mood and brain fog: Your gut and brain are connected via the gut-brain axis. Certain bacteria even produce neurotransmitters like serotonin.

When this delicate ecosystem is out of balance, a state called dysbiosis, you may start to notice vague but persistent symptoms: fatigue, bloating, skin flare-ups, brain fog, or food sensitivities. Over time, an unhealthy gut microbiome can also increase the risk of chronic conditions.

That’s why at Biomine, we focus on how to decode

your gut. By understanding which microbes are present and how they’re interacting, we can begin to personalise the steps needed to bring your system back into balance and support long-term, whole-body wellbeing.

What is 16S Next Generation Sequencing?

The reality is that you’re mostly microbes. In fact, the number of bacteria in your gut rivals the number of human cells in your body. And while you can’t see them, these microbes are doing a lot behind the scenes such as digesting food, producing vitamins, regulating your immune system, and even influencing your brain.

So, how do we find out which microbes live inside you? That’s where 16S rRNA sequencing comes in.

What’s the “16S” part?

Every bacterium has a gene called the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. You can think of it like a passport, it’s present in all bacteria, and it contains certain sections that are the same across the board, alongside regions that are unique to each species. Scientists use this gene like a barcode to identify which bacteria are present in a stool sample.

How does the test actually work?

When you send us your sample, our lab gets to work:

1. DNA Extraction: We start by gently breaking open the cells in your stool to release their DNA. This captures genetic material from all the bacteria living in your gut, the helpful, the neutral, and the ones worth keeping an eye on.

2. Amplification (PCR): Instead of analysing all the DNA at once, we focus on one very specific part: the 16S gene. Using a process called PCR, we create billions of copies of just this gene, so we can read it clearly and accurately, even from tiny traces.

3. DNA Sequencing: Next, we sequence the amplified gene, which means reading the exact order of its DNA letters (A, T, C, and G). This sequence acts like a unique signature for each type of bacterium.

4. Microbial Matching: Finally, we match these sequences against global microbiome databases. This allows us to identify which bacteria are present in your gut, from beneficial ones like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, to others that may be linked to inflammation or symptoms.

As a result, we will get a detailed understanding of the microscopic world inside your gut. We’re able to identify which bacteria are living there, how abundant they are, and how diverse your overall microbiome is. This isn’t just a list of names, it’s a biological fingerprint, unique to you. It gives us clues about how well your gut is functioning, whether certain microbes are over- or underrepresented, and how your internal ecosystem might be influencing your digestion, energy, inflammation, and even mood. In short, it's the first step to understanding your body on a deeper level and taking action that’s tailored to you.

From DNA to Insight: How We Use AI to Decode Your Gut

Once we’ve sequenced your sample and identified which bacteria live in your gut, the next challenge begins: making sense of it all.

That’s where our AI-powered analysis comes in.

We feed your microbial data into our AI system to interpret what the raw DNA is actually telling us. This is how we go from thousands of genetic sequences to clear, personalised insights.

Here’s what the AI helps us do:

• Match your sequences to known bacteria in our database, accurately identifying which species are present and in what quantities.

• Group microbes by function, so we can see, for example, how well your microbiome is supporting digestion, gut lining integrity, inflammation balance, or short-chain fatty acid production (like butyrate).

• Spot imbalances or trends, such as low diversity or a lack of key beneficial bacteria, both of which may be linked to symptoms or risk factors.

• Model your potential for change, our system can help predict how tweaks in your diet or lifestyle might shift your microbiome in a healthier direction over time.

Think of the AI as a microscope for complexity, one that helps us connect the dots between microbes, symptoms, and long-term health patterns. And because it continuously learns from anonymised data and scientific updates, it gets smarter as more people test.

From Data to Daily Action: What You Actually Get

At Biomine, we’re not here to give you a long list of scientific names and send you on your way. We believe that real health transformation starts with clarity, not confusion.

That’s why your gut health report is designed to be practical, personalised, and actionable.

Yes, it includes the science — which bacteria are thriving, which ones are depleted, and how balanced your microbiome is overall. But more importantly, it connects the dots between your microbes and your everyday experience.

You’ll learn how your unique microbiome may be affecting things like:

• Digestion: Are low levels of fibre-digesting bacteria contributing to bloating or irregularity?

• Energy: Are imbalances affecting how well you convert food into usable fuel?

• Inflammation: Are your microbes supporting or straining your immune system and gut lining?

• Ageing well: Are you producing enough anti-inflammatory compounds like butyrate, which support long-term health and resilience?

For each insight, we’ll give you clear, tailored suggestions, from simple shifts in your diet to targeted lifestyle tweaks, all grounded in scientific evidence. No fads. No fluff. Just smart, supportive steps designed to help your gut and body thrive.

And you’re never alone in this. Our team is available via WhatsApp and email to help you interpret your results, talk through your goals, and keep you on track. Whether you’re wondering “What should I eat more of?” or “What does this microbe actually do?”, we’re here to guide you.

The Bottom Line: It’s More Than a Test, It’s a Turning Point

Your gut microbiome is a key player in how you feel today, and how well you age tomorrow. And 16S sequencing gives you a clear window into that invisible world, revealing insights that were once only available in research labs.

But what makes the Biomine approach truly powerful is what comes next: AI that interprets your data.Experts that support your journey.And personalised guidance that helps you make real, meaningful changes.

This isn’t about tracking numbers. It’s about taking control, with clarity, confidence, and science on your side.

Because when you understand your biology, you can start making decisions that genuinely support your long-term health.And that’s when everything starts to change.