Microbiome

What is the microbiome?

A microbiome is the community of bacteria (microbiota) and the environment they inhabit. Microbes do not exist in isolation. Instead, they live in complex and dynamic communities in which different microbial species are constantly interacting. When these communities are combined with a specific environment, such as the human gut, we refer to that ecosystem as a microbiome.

Humans, plants and animals all host microbiomes, and these communities can be found on our skin, in our gut and in our mouths. They are also found in the environment, in soils, the ocean and the air. They have coevolved with us and are a key part of our, and the Earth’s, systems and cycles.

Why does the microbiome matter?

Microbiomes are intrinsically linked to humans, animals, plants and the environment. Environmental microbiomes, including the soil and ocean microbiomes, are also highly important and are vital to processes such as biodegradation, nutrient cycling and carbon storage.

By studying microbiomes microbiologists hope to further our understanding of the functional links between microbiomes and global issues such as health, disease and food security. It doesn’t stop there. Microbiologists also hope that by understanding microbiomes and their influence on global processes they could find biotechnological applications to actively influence these processes to improve human, animal and environmental health.