Market Trends of Global Metagenomics Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Metagenomics Market according to our research experts:
Metagenomics Application in Human Health is Expected to Witness Healthy Growth Over the Forecast Period
Metagenomics in human health is anticipated to show significant growth in the forecast period due to growing demand among researchers to study the relationship between microbes and human diseases. The shotgun characterization of total DNA and marker genes is used mainly to analyze the community structure of the human microbiome, which is the genetic material of the microbes associated with humans. According to the article titled ' Metagenomics Study Reveals changes in gut microbiota in Centenarians: A cohort study of Hainan centenarians' published in the American Society of Microbiology, July 2020, the metagenomic changes of the human gut microbiota studied and described, that occur with aging, up to extreme longevity, by characterizing the microbiome of semisupercentenarians, i.e., the population aged above 105 years, and thus aids in the development and support of new homeostasis. Additionally, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of RNA and DNA extracted from cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue offers a potential strategy for diagnosing neurological infections. Also, as per the research article titled ' Addressing learning needs on the use of metagenomics in antimicrobial resistance surveillance' published in Frontiers in Public Health, February 2020, metagenomics-based surveillance helps in detecting the relation between pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Metagenomics has been extensively used in the identification of the microbiome associated with the onset of various cancers, such as colorectal cancers. Hence, the high incidence of cancers globally surges the research studies to evaluate the microbiome associated with cancer and the possible diagnostic/treatment options, which is expected to drive the studied segment.
Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the application of metagenomics in the detection and analysis of the SARS-CoV2 virus. Metagenomics plays a vital role in determining and analyzing the microbiome associated with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and COVID-19 disease, which is of great importance during the current pandemic era. An article titled ' Diversity and genomic determinants of the microbiomes associated with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 respiratory diseases' published in June 2021, revealed the presence of 30 functional gene groups/classes associated with resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds (RATC) in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 microbiomes. Furthermore, a predominant higher abundance of cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance (CZCR) and multidrug resistance to efflux pumps (MREP) genes were detected in the COVID-19 metagenome. Thus, COVID-19 is expected to positively impact the studied market growth during the current pandemic.
Furthermore, the European Project MetaHIT (metagenomics of human intestinal tract) and the American Human Microbiome Project are some of the research programs working in the field of metagenomics. Moreover, rising investment in the human microbiome and the introduction of advanced sequencing technologies have been driving the metagenomics market over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share of the Market Over the the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant market due to the presence of a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies working toward the establishment of novel and efficient metagenomic platforms, along with the increasing research and development expenditure by the key players. Also, the wide adoption of metagenomics diagnostic and an increasing number of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based research and technological advancements are driving the studied market in the region.
The growing application of metagenomics in various COVID-19 studies is also expected to drive the studied market during the pandemic. According to the research article published in the American Society of Microbiology, 2020, China, the United States, and Europe had various levels of coinfection during COVID-19, within regions as well that ranged from as low as 2% to as high as 80%. Metagenomic-based next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has the ability to detect coinfections and determine other organisms that may impact patient outcomes.
The United States owns the largest share of the metagenomics market in the North American region. The rising geriatric population and the high incidence of chronic diseases are also expected to play a vital role in the growth of the studied market. According to the report by America's Health Rankingds in 2021, more than 54 million adults aged 65 and older live in United States. The number of older adults aged in 65 and older was projected to rise to an estimated 85.7 million of overall United States population. Thus, the elderly population is more prone to chronic diseases, which surges the demand for advanced diagnostics and treatment planning. Hence, the rapid adoption of novel sequencing technologies and rising awareness about next-generation sequencing (NGS) based on metagenomic research are also expected to fuel the market in this region.
