Abstract: The present disclosure defines a method for identifying and characterizing radiation exposure after, for example, a nuclear event such as detonation of a nuclear weapon or a nuclear meltdown of a nuclear power plant, using changes in microbiomes. The present disclosure demonstrates that microbiomes are reproducibly and detectably altered by exposure to radiation. As described herein, microbial signatures can be used to characterize components of microbiomes that are altered by exposure to radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure defines a method for identifying and/or treating risk and/or occurrence of cardiac defect. As is shown herein, microbiomes are reproducibly and detectably associated with cardiac defect risk factors and changes to the microbiome can directly alter cardiac defect risk. The present disclosure demonstrates that microbial signatures can be used to characterize components of microbiomes that associate with altered risk or occurrence of cardiac defects and to identify treatments to reduce risk or severity of cardiac defects.