Human Microbiome Project

The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) was an international effort launched in 2007 to understand the microorganisms living on and within humans. This collection of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, along with their collective genomes, is known as the human microbiome. Bacteria are the most abundant members, with estimates suggesting trillions of bacteria in the human body, far outnumbering human cells.

The HMP utilized advancements in DNA sequencing to identify these microbes and their roles in health and disease. Scientists discovered that the microbiome is incredibly diverse, varying significantly between individuals and even between different body parts on the same person. Most microbes are beneficial, aiding in digestion or preventing harmful bacteria from colonizing. However, some can become pathogenic, as seen in Clostridioides difficile infections, which can occur after antibiotic use disrupts the natural microbial balance. Research into the microbiome is crucial for understanding human physiology, nutrition, and developing new treatments for diseases.1