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Establishing human microbial observatory programs in low- and middle-income countries
Jeffrey I Gordon1,2, Michael J Barratt1,2, Matthew C Hibberd1,2
1The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|September 19, 2024
Summary
Understanding the human microbiome is crucial for global health. Establishing long-term human microbial observatory programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is essential for studying microbial ecology and developing new therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Global Health
- Ecology
Background:
- Human microbiome research is advancing but lacks diversity, primarily focusing on high-income countries.
- The microbiome's role in disease pathogenesis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasingly recognized.
- Lifestyle and environmental changes impact the human microbiome globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the necessity of studying human microbial ecology in LMICs.
- To propose the establishment of long-term human microbial observatory programs in LMICs.
- To address the need for microbiome-directed therapeutics for global health challenges.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on human microbiome studies.
- Discussion of the potential benefits and challenges of establishing microbial observatories.
- Analysis of the implications for global health and therapeutic development.
Main Results:
- Current human microbiome research is geographically biased towards high-income nations.
- Microbiome research in LMICs is critical for understanding and treating prevalent diseases.
- Long-term observatories can provide valuable data on human microbial ecology in diverse settings.
Conclusions:
- Long-term human microbial observatory programs in LMICs are vital for advancing global health.
- Such programs will facilitate the development of targeted microbiome-based interventions.
- Expanding research to LMICs is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the human microbiome.
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