EMBO | EMBL Symposium: The human microbiome

Human microbiota – the collection of microbes living in and on our body – have a significant impact on human health and well-being. They have been associated with numerous diseases, yet we have barely understood their role in the context of life-style and genetics. Various initiatives are underway around the world to survey the human microbiota at several body sites, characterise them, understand their interactions with the human hosts, elucidate their role in diseases, and design possible therapeutic or dietary interventions. There is a new wave of studies mining the human microbiota for bioactive compounds such as antibiotics, and for characterising specific microbial strains. This conference will provide plentiful opportunities for researchers to learn about and to connect to important developments in studying the human microbiota