Description:The goal of this project was to investigate the skin microbiota of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients at specific timepoints (quiescence, disease flares, and post-treatment) to examine how disease state correlated with changes in the skin microflora. Bacterial diversity associated with AD was examined using a 16S rRNA survey and later broadened to include fungi, viruses, archaea and mites. In addition, bacteria were cultured on a wide variety of media and isolates representing both abundant and novel species were selected for whole genome sequencing. To characterize fungal diversity, two phylogenetic markers within the rDNA region were utilized: 18S rRNA and the Intervening Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region. Full microbial diversity was explored with shotgun metagenomic sequencing.