Microbiome

The term microbiome refers to the bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms that inhabit our bodies as well as every corner of the planet. Scientists at UChicago, including the Duchossois Family Institute, are researching the role that bacteria play in our health—and how to translate their discoveris into potential new treatment options.

Featured

Inside the Lab

Light Lab: Understanding the gut microbiome to treat disease

Step inside Asst. Prof. Sam Light’s lab to learn how scientists are mapping the incredible network of microbes living inside your gut—and how they can affect health or disease.

Feb 17, 2025

Germs for the holidays: House guests leave trail of tiny, immunity-improving bacteria

Dec 30, 2015

Gut bacteria

Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy

Nov 6, 2015

Microbes

The Hottest New Cancer Drugs Depend on Gut Microbes

<p>Prof. Thomas Gajewski leads study, which finds gut microbiome composition can affect the body’s immune response to cancer</p>

Nov 6, 2015

Obama

Hey Obama, Can We Have a Unified Microbiome Initiative?

<p>Assoc. Prof. Jack Gilbert says initiative will help scientists understand how microbes ‘organize themselves, communicate, and deal with the world’</p>

Oct 29, 2015

Harper Lecture with Jack Gilbert: Adventures in Our Microbial World

Oct 22, 2015

Microbial ecologist Jack Gilbert named one of Popular Science’s ‘Brilliant 10’

Sep 24, 2015

Jack Gilbert

Looking closer at role of microbiome

<p>Jack Gilbert and colleagues study bacteria’s broad influence</p>

Aug 5, 2015

UChicago

Assoc. Prof. Jack Gilbert

Looking closer at role of microbiome

Jack Gilbert and colleagues study bacteria’s broad influence

Aug 5, 2015

You and Your Microbiome: Is This Why I’m Allergic to Peanuts?

Apr 28, 2015

Microbes

Designing a Hospital to Better Fight Infection

<p>Asst. Prof. Emily Landon discusses three-year study of how UChicago’s Center for Care and Discovery can better examine bacteria in hospitals</p>

Apr 27, 2015