Microbiome Fundamentals

The microbiome is the full collection of the microorganisms (the microbiota), their genes, and their microenvironment (habitat) in a specific area.

The gut microbiome remains the most heavily researched microbiome, but exploration of other microbiomes (e.g., skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract, reproductive tract) is rapidly expanding.

Although the bacterial component of the microbiome far outnumbers the other microorganisms present, and remains the focus of the most microbiome research, there is growing interest in studying the other components of the microbiome – including viruses, protozoa, fungi and archaea (bacteria-like organisms, but distinct from bacteria).