Is it just me, or is it getting more and more difficult to find someone who you really have something in common with? Y’know, a real connection. For instance, how many people are out there who share the same gut bacteria (enterotype) as you? And more importantly, how do you find them?

If questions like this were driving you mad, you’re in luck. New gastrointestinal social network MyMicrobes could help you find people who have guts just like yours…

The site was set up as a way to better understand the similarities/differences between the microbes living in the guts of different people, by analysing the composition and related functions of those present in users’ samples. People signed up to the service can also use it to contact others with similar microbial profiles around the world in order to directly share their experiences, remedies, health and diet tips

Not content with an email address and your mother’s maiden name, MyMicrobes requires that you mail in a stool sample along with a cheque for $2100 to help cover the cost of having your sample analysed and sequenced. Just make sure that your friend wash their hands before they “poke” you.