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A microbiome is all of the genetic material found in a microbe, such as a bacterium, fungal cell or virus. It also may refer to the genetic material found in a community of microbes.

Microbiome Websites

Teacher's resources for teaching about microbes and the microbiome
A teacher's tools website with resources for use in biology classes learning about microbes. Includes: Your Microbial Friends and the Symbiosis Scramble

Microbiome learning tools for students
Student or family-oriented learning website for resources about the human microbiome: The Microbiome Simulator, Your Changing Microbiome, and How we Study The Microbiome.

Earth Microbiome ProjectThis is a proposed massively multidisciplinary effort to analyze microbial communities across the globe. The site contains links on project goals, how people can get involved, and even contains protocols and standards. There is a link to a Microbe article about this project below.

Metagenomis of the Human Intestinal Tract
This site contains a nice downloadable pdf of their work. There are also links to other parts of the work including: Objectives, microbial profiling, data analysis, and more.

Overview of the Canadian Microbiome Initiative
Not only does this site contain information about the Canadian microbiome project, but it also contains a link to research highlights written for the public.

Microbiome: The critters within
This article by Lauren Gravitz in the May 17, 2012 issure of Nature highlights the roles of microorganisms in the human gut and suggests that these microorganism essentially serve as another organ in the human body. The article discusses the possible role of microorganisms in diabetes and insulin resistance and efforts to understand microbial roles in metabolism in the human body.

Tending the Body's Microbial Garden
By nurturing the invisible ecosystem in and on our bodies, doctors may be able to find other ways to fight infectious diseases, and with less harmful side effects. Tending the microbiome may also help in the treatment of disorders that may not seem to have anything to do with bacteria, including obesity and diabetes.

Explore the Human Microbiome
By Christine Gormanj in the May 15, 2012 issue of Scientific American, this article provides an overview of human microbiome studies. An interactive presentation, the viewer can click on one of five areas of the body that are hghlighted and can get an overview of the microbiome in that area. Major microbial players in each body area also are provided with an overview of key information about each organisms, which often contains a link to further information.Contributing Team of Educators:

Contributing Team of Educators:

Harold Chittum Ph.D., University of Pikeville
Dia-Eldin A. Elnaiem Ph.D., University of Maryland Eastern Shore
J. Michael Engle Ph.D., Mount Aloysius College
Danny L. Franke Ph.D., Alderson-Broaddus College
Diana E. Northup Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Lori West Ph.D., Lee University

  • Microbiome Websites

    Teacher's resources for teaching about microbes and the microbiome
    A teacher's tools website with resources for use in biology classes learning about microbes. Includes: Your Microbial Friends and the Symbiosis Scramble

    Microbiome learning tools for students
    Student or family-oriented learning website for resources about the human microbiome: The Microbiome Simulator, Your Changing Microbiome, and How we Study The Microbiome.

    Earth Microbiome ProjectThis is a proposed massively multidisciplinary effort to analyze microbial communities across the globe. The site contains links on project goals, how people can get involved, and even contains protocols and standards. There is a link to a Microbe article about this project below.

    Metagenomis of the Human Intestinal Tract
    This site contains a nice downloadable pdf of their work. There are also links to other parts of the work including: Objectives, microbial profiling, data analysis, and more.

    Overview of the Canadian Microbiome Initiative
    Not only does this site contain information about the Canadian microbiome project, but it also contains a link to research highlights written for the public.

    Microbiome: The critters within
    This article by Lauren Gravitz in the May 17, 2012 issure of Nature highlights the roles of microorganisms in the human gut and suggests that these microorganism essentially serve as another organ in the human body. The article discusses the possible role of microorganisms in diabetes and insulin resistance and efforts to understand microbial roles in metabolism in the human body.

    Tending the Body's Microbial Garden
    By nurturing the invisible ecosystem in and on our bodies, doctors may be able to find other ways to fight infectious diseases, and with less harmful side effects. Tending the microbiome may also help in the treatment of disorders that may not seem to have anything to do with bacteria, including obesity and diabetes.

    Explore the Human Microbiome
    By Christine Gormanj in the May 15, 2012 issue of Scientific American, this article provides an overview of human microbiome studies. An interactive presentation, the viewer can click on one of five areas of the body that are hghlighted and can get an overview of the microbiome in that area. Major microbial players in each body area also are provided with an overview of key information about each organisms, which often contains a link to further information.Contributing Team of Educators:

    Contributing Team of Educators:

    Harold Chittum Ph.D., University of Pikeville
    Dia-Eldin A. Elnaiem Ph.D., University of Maryland Eastern Shore
    J. Michael Engle Ph.D., Mount Aloysius College
    Danny L. Franke Ph.D., Alderson-Broaddus College
    Diana E. Northup Ph.D., University of New Mexico
    Lori West Ph.D., Lee University

Last updated: March 8, 2021