Final answer:
Researchers compared the gut bacteria of Inuit people and individuals from Montreal using metagenomic analysis to study the genetic material of all microbes in the microbiome, which includes bacteria that are not cultivable.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare the gut bacteria of the Inuit people with those of people from Montreal, researchers utilized metagenomic analysis. This method involves the study of genetic material collected directly from microbial communities rather than focusing on individual species grown in culture. By employing metagenomic analysis, scientists can obtain a comprehensive view of the genetic material of all microbes present in the microbiome, including those that are not cultivable using traditional microbiological techniques.
The use of metagenomic analysis is critical for such comparisons due to the limitations of traditional culture-based methods. It is estimated that only about 1% of bacteria in nature can be cultured, which highlights the effectiveness of metagenomic analysis for investigating the vast majority of unculturable microbes in the human gut. This approach provides a more accurate perspective on the diversity and functioning of the gut microbiota in different populations.