Inclusion Criteria:

• * Be older than 18 years of age,
• * Suffer from obesity, defined by BMI≥30 kg/m2 (body mass index: weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters).

Exclusion Criteria:

• * Positive laboratory tests for any of the following pathogens: Hepatitis B virus (HBV); Hepatitis C virus (HCV); Human Immunodeficiency Virus Types 1 and 2 (HIV); Human T-Lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV); Treponema pallidum (syphilis); Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff)
• * History of gastrointestinal malabsorptive disorders including a known history of celiac disease, and/or chronic pancreatitis,
• * History of any inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract,
• * Patient is of childbearing age and not practicing effective birth control method, pregnant or lactating
• * History of a myocardial infarction or cerebro-vascular accident in the last year, or history of unstable cardiovascular disease,
• * History of cancer or life expectancy of \< 2 yrs,
• * Use of any medications (prescription or OTC), including herbal or other supplements for treatment of obesity,
• * History of known hormonal or genetic cause for obesity,
• * History of any psychiatric disorders including dementia, active psychosis, severe depression requiring \> 2 medications, history of suicide attempts, alcohol or drug abuse within the previous 12 months,
• * Any condition or major illness that, in the investigator's judgment, places the subject at undue risk of participating in the repository,
• * Unable to understand the risks, realistic benefits and requirements of the repository,
• * Use of investigational therapy or participation in any other clinical trial within 12 weeks prior to signing the ICF.