What is the microbiome?

The microbiome is the community of microorganisms that inhabit an environment including bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and their genes. Researchers use tools like metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and microbial community profiling on microbiomes from environments like the gut or skin to study diversity, abundance, and functional roles. This data-driven approach uncovers host–microbe interactions, disease associations, and potential therapeutic targets.