AGA Supports Scientists' Call for National Movement on The Microbiome

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recently announced its support for the interdisciplinary Unified Microbiome Initiative, which is focused on developing a fuller understanding of the microbiome.

While the microbiome is vital to all areas of the human body, the field of gastroenterology is slated to play a major role in this initiative since it provides a specific perspective about the gut.

Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, president of the AGA Institute, remarked, “Understanding the gut microbiome is critical to advancing digestive disease patient care, and as such AGA has made research and education around the gut microbiome an organizational priority. AGA fully supports the call for a formal microbiome strategy and is eager to contribute our knowledge and resources related to the gut microbiome and its impact on health and disease.”

Since its inception in April 2013, the AGA’s microbiome center has focused on education and has worked to:

· Expand literature on the gut microbiome, developing a special issue of Gastroenterology specifically focused on gut microbiome research.

· Provide education, gathering international leaders for microbiome-focused meetings.

· Advance the understanding of the gut microbiome partnering with the American Gut to collect 500 gut microbiota samples from AGA volunteers.

· Influence policy: AGA is planning a second congressional briefing to address gut microbiome opportunities, antibiotic resistance, and fecal transplants.

According to Jo Handelsman, PhD, associate director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the new papers are very thoughtful and have a lot to tell us, and as such, the White House is already considering increasing its support of research into microbiomes.