A September Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) Microbiome Subcommittee meeting identifies opportunities to advance microbiome research, chronic disease prevention, and public understanding
WASHINGTON, D.C.—OCTOBER 29, 2026—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) convened leading international microbiome scientists in September for an inaugural public subcommittee meeting, "The Microbiome: Where Wellness Begins." Participants examined the current state of microbiome science and identified ten strategic priorities to advance research and its potential applications to chronic disease prevention and public health.
The human microbiome — the communities of microorganisms that inhabit the body — plays an important role in immunity, metabolism, and responses to drugs and therapies. Advances in DNA sequencing and computational biology have helped researchers identify associations between the microbiome and conditions including metabolic disease, cancer, and neurological disorders. However, establishing when and how microbiome changes contribute to disease remains a central scientific challenge.
"As a physician, I know how important it is to equip our medical professionals with clear, evidence-based information to help them make informed decisions and support their patients' health," said Admiral Brian Christine, Assistant Secretary for Health. "This subcommittee helps identify the research needed to translate microbiome discoveries into practical tools for preventing and treating chronic disease."
Subcommittee members brought expertise spanning immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, early-life development, computational research, and regulatory science. Their discussion focused on strengthening the scientific foundation for microbiome research and identifying actionable insights for the public and healthcare professionals.
"Bringing together experts across scientific and medical disciplines helps us identify both the promise of microbiome research and the questions that remain," said Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Director of National Health Communications. "That understanding is essential to equipping healthcare professionals and the public with clear, gold standard science."
The subcommittee identified ten priorities for research and action:
- Establishing causal relationships between the microbiome and disease through rigorous, controlled studies.
- Expanding large-scale studies, standardized methods, and infrastructure for sharing data.
- Studying what microorganisms do, beyond identifying which organisms are present.
- Increasing research on viruses, fungi, and other understudied components of the microbiome.
- Advancing regulatory science to support the development and evaluation of microbiome-based interventions.
- Developing and validating personalized approaches to nutrition and treatment.
- Investigating early-life opportunities to support healthy microbiome development and prevent disease.
- Examining the relationship between the gut microbiome and neurological conditions.
- Building on progress in cancer research to inform microbiome studies in other chronic diseases.
- Strengthening public education and healthcare professional training.
Subcommittee members also emphasized the need to distinguish established evidence from emerging findings and unsupported commercial claims. The article highlights limitations in the evidence supporting direct-to-consumer microbiome tests and cautions that marketing claims for probiotics and supplements can outpace the science.
The subcommittee's strategic framework calls for sustained research investment, stronger collaboration, and clear public communication. Together, these priorities offer a path toward determining how microbiome discoveries can contribute to chronic disease prevention and improve public health.