Next-Generation "Gut Microbiome DNA Test <Smart Gut Score>" Supervised by Dr. Masahira Hattori, a World Authority in Genome Science and Microbiome, to be Available to the General Public from Summer 2026
Smart Gut Inc. will begin offering its highly accurate next-generation gut microbiome DNA test, "Smart Gut Score," to the general public (individuals and corporations) from summer 2026. This service, supervised by Dr. Masahira Hattori, a world authority in genome and metagenome research, aims to enhance the reliability of microbiome research and contribute to a healthier society in Japan.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 20:00
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Smart Gut Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yasumitsu Sakai) will officially launch its next-generation "Gut Microbiome DNA Test " for the general public (individuals and corporations) from summer 2026. This service applies the highly accurate gut microbiome DNA analysis technology previously offered exclusively to academia and medical institutions, utilizing a proprietary extraction technique.
This service was developed under the responsible supervision of Dr. Masahira Hattori (Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, CTO of our company), a world authority in genome and metagenome research. With a strong mission to bring "'real science,' not just 'scientific image,' into daily life," we are launching this project to further enhance the reliability of microbiome research and realize a healthy society in Japan.
■ Why investigate gut bacteria now?
In recent years, the gut microbiome has garnered global attention as "another organ" intimately involved in the human immune, nervous, and metabolic systems. Imbalances in the gut environment (dysbiosis) are being researched worldwide as one of the factors contributing to daily health decline. Humans are superorganisms composed of "their own cells" and "resident bacteria." Understanding one's gut environment can be the most rational approach to maintaining inherent health and achieving an optimal lifestyle for each individual (personalized healthcare).
■ Challenges in the rapidly evolving testing market and our challenge to become a "trusted infrastructure"
While interest in gut health and gut bacteria is rapidly increasing, this field is still in its developmental stages, and there are structural challenges shared by the entire industry.
Challenge 1: Issues with test accuracy and reproducibility
Gut microbiome analysis consists of multi-stage processes, including DNA extraction methods, sequencing technologies, and analysis algorithms. Domestic and international studies have reported that results can vary depending on the choice of process, even with the same sample (※1). The situation where consumers may be confused when comparing test results from multiple companies is an urgent issue that the industry as a whole must address.
※1 Servetas SL et al., Commun Biol. 9(1):269, 2026.
Challenge 2: Quality of scientific evidence and information provision
Research on the relationship between the gut microbiome and health is advancing day by day, but there are still many unexplored areas in current scientific knowledge. When information is conveyed without clearly distinguishing between developing hypotheses and established knowledge, there is a risk of misleading consumers, which is widely recognized among researchers and experts as an issue affecting the overall trustworthiness of the market.
It is true that society as a whole is growing through trial and error in the unknown realm of the microbiome. That is precisely why the existence of testing services that ensure accuracy, transparency, and reproducibility is crucial for consumers, researchers, and medical professionals alike.
Smart Gut Inc., based on the research achievements and knowledge accumulated by Dr. Hattori over many years, will directly confront these challenges. Through the provision of highly reliable, scientifically evidence-based services, we aim for a future where gut microbiome testing becomes a "trusted infrastructure" for society.
■ High-precision data generated by Dr. Masahira Hattori's "DNA Extraction Technology," chosen by 0.1% of the world's researchers
One of the features of this test is the "DNA extraction technology from feces," which is the first step in analysis. We employ "Dr. Hattori's unique extraction technology" to accurately (※2) extract DNA from hundreds of types of bacteria residing in the gut with high precision.
By using the gut microbiome DNA extraction protocol developed and established by Dr. Hattori and sophisticated data analysis technology, we have realized the construction of a gut environment testing system with unprecedented (※2) high accuracy and reliability.
Dr. Hattori has been selected for six consecutive years as a "Highly Cited Researcher" (※3) (selected by Clarivate, announced annually since 2014), representing 0.1% of all researchers worldwide, and is a global pioneer in the field of genome science.
※2 Mori H, et al. Assessment of metagenomic workflows using a newly constructed human gut microbiome mock community. DNA Res. 2023 Jun 1;30(3):dsad010. doi: 10.1093/dnares/dsad010.
※3 "Highly Cited Researchers" recognizes scientists and social scientists whose work has significantly influenced subsequent research, as the world's most cited authors, selected by Clarivate since 2014.