Strengthening Integrative Microbiome Research Through Regional Leadership

Microbiome science has revolutionized modern biology, shifting the focus from pathogens to the essential roles of beneficial microbes in health, metabolism, and ecosystems. Advances in genomic technologies like metagenomics have rapidly expanded our understanding of microbial diversity and function. Despite this progress, global microbiome research remains concentrated in high-resource regions, limiting diverse perspectives and opportunities in places like the Caribbean. This communication discusses the establishment of the first Center for Microbiome Sciences in Puerto Rico, which addresses this gap by providing local researchers with access to advanced tools, training, and infrastructure through broader collaboration. Novelty, services, and ideas on the integration of activities among local centers for the scientific improvement of the region are addressed. Additionally, how the center is poised to contribute to improving public and environmental health is also highlighted.