Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing
The most advanced microbiome test available, species-level precision
What Gabriel reads for
Complete microbiome census (bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, parasites)
Species and strain-level identification
Functional pathway analysis (what your microbiome is producing)
Cost
$300–$600
Turnaround
4–6 weeks
Ordering path
Thorne (Onegevity)
Results flow
Upload + interpret in Gabriel
What this test reveals
What this test reveals
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing analyzes all the DNA in your stool sample — not just bacteria, but fungi, viruses, archaea, and parasites — providing species-level identification and functional pathway analysis of your gut microbiome.
Unlike 16S rRNA sequencing (used by most consumer microbiome tests), shotgun sequencing identifies organisms to the species and strain level and reveals what your microbiome is actually doing: producing beneficial metabolites like butyrate, or synthesizing harmful compounds like LPS and ammonia.
People usually reach for this kind of diagnostic when they want a clearer read on complete microbiome census (bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, parasites), species and strain-level identification, functional pathway analysis (what your microbiome is producing), especially when symptoms or prior testing still leave blind spots.
Once results are back, you can upload them into Gabriel to connect the findings to symptoms, protocols, and next-step testing instead of leaving them as a static report.
Commonly relevant for: Gut Issues Ibs Sibo Leaky Gut, Autoimmune Disorders, Brain Health Neurodegeneration.
Gabriel difference
Why this becomes more useful inside Gabriel
Most microbiome tests give you a vague snapshot of bacterial genera. Shotgun sequencing reveals the complete ecosystem with precision: exactly which strains you have, what they're doing, and what they're producing. This data allows Gabriel to design hyper-personalized probiotic, prebiotic, and dietary interventions based on your unique microbiome profile — not generic gut health advice.
Gabriel interprets results through a functional, root-cause lens: optimal ranges, pattern recognition across multiple diagnostics, and what the findings actually mean for action rather than just classification.
That means this test can feed directly into protocols, practitioner matching, food strategy, and follow-up testing instead of ending as a one-off PDF or lab portal result.
What to expect
What to expect from ordering to results
01
Order
Order directly through Thorne (Onegevity) or ask Gabriel whether there is a better path first.
02
Complete
Collect a stool sample at home using the provided kit. Ship it in the prepaid envelope.
03
Interpret
Upload the results to Gabriel for pattern recognition, protocol suggestions, and next-step guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Questions people usually ask before ordering
GI-MAP uses targeted PCR to look for specific known pathogens. Microbiome sequencing (16S rRNA or shotgun metagenomics) sequences ALL the bacterial DNA in your sample, revealing the full diversity and composition of your gut microbiome, including species that targeted tests would miss.
You'll learn your microbial diversity (higher is generally better), ratios of beneficial vs potentially harmful bacteria, which metabolic pathways your microbiome supports (like butyrate production or bile acid metabolism), and how your gut composition compares to healthy populations.
Popular options include Viome (metatranscriptomics, measures what microbes are actually doing), Thorne/OneGevity, and BiomeSight. Each uses different sequencing methods with varying depth. Viome's approach of measuring microbial activity rather than just presence is particularly informative.
A baseline test followed by retesting 3-6 months after dietary or supplement interventions. Your microbiome can shift meaningfully in weeks, but sustainable changes take months to establish.
Consumer kits range from $100-400 depending on sequencing depth. Viome's full panel is around $200-300. Clinical-grade sequencing through a practitioner can cost $400-600 with detailed interpretation.
Not sure which test belongs in your workup?
Tell Gabriel your symptoms, goals, and what you have already tried. You will get a more useful answer than a generic test catalog can give you.