microbiome

[mahy-kroh-bahy-ohm]

noun

Microbiology.

1. the totality of microorganisms and their collective genetic material present in or on the human body or in another environment.

   The wide diversity of species that make up the microbiome is hard to fathom.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microbiome¹

Coined 2001 by Joshua Lederberg, American molecular biologist; micro(be) + biome

Example Sentences

As well as soothing your mind, nature can also help boost your microbiome as soil and plants are full of good bacteria.

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By examining stool samples and prescription data from more than 2,500 participants in the Estonian Biobank’s Microbiome cohort, scientists discovered that most drugs they analyzed were associated with measurable changes in the gut microbiome.

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One of the displays at the UAW event was titled, “Evolution in your tummy: on the hunt for adaptations in the microbiome to improve health.”

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“I prefer mycelium for supporting immunity, neurological health, microbiome health and for many other benefits. ... I know that mycelium is far more immunologically active and beneficial for immune support when taken as a supplement.”

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Our body's own human cells are outnumbered by the bacteria, fungi and others that live inside us - known as the microbiome.

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When To Use

What is a microbiome?

A microbiome is a full collection of microorganisms and the genetic material of a living being or a specific environment.The term microbiome is most often used in reference to the human microbiome, and people will often discuss the microbiome without specifying that they mean the human variety. However, every living being has a microbiome.The microbiome includes all of the cells that make up a living body and all of the microorganisms that exist within it that promote healthy life processes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. For example, there are hundreds of millions of bacteria and other organisms within the body that promote digestion, protect against pathogens and disease, and extract toxins from the body. All negative or outside organisms that enter the body also effectively become a part of the microbiome and will be considered when evaluating someone’s condition or health.Some of the first bacteria identified as living inside the bodies of healthy humans were E. coli, which aids digestion in the large intestine, and Veillonella parvula, which converts some harmful acids in the mouth into less harmful ones. In 2007, the scientific community launched a project called the Human Microbiome Project in order to learn more about these microorganisms. Example: The human microbiome includes so much more than bacteria and viruses.