Scientists propose national microbiome plan to prevent chronic disease
Leading microbiologists are calling for a national 'microbiome moonshot' to investigate how microbial communities influence chronic diseases like obesity and asthma. The proposed plan aims to secure federal funding for large-scale human studies to move beyond correlation toward proving cause-and-effect relationships.
Why it matters
Understanding the human microbiome could revolutionize preventative medicine and public health strategies for managing the rising tide of chronic conditions.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add to Preferred Sources Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Rutgers researchers are part of an international call for a microbiome moonshot, a massive, coordinated effort to pinpoint how certain microorganisms inside us drive chronic disease and how others can be harnessed for repair.
Antibiotics, cesarean births, infant formula and diets rich in heavily processed foods can change the microbes that live in and on our bodies. These trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the human microbiome, help shape immunity and metabolism.
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