About

What is a microbiome?

A microbiome is a community of microorganisms that live in specific environments. These environments can exist in many different places. They can be on the surface of living organisms or inside them, or even on non-living things such as soil and water.

Why are they important?

Microbiomes play an important role in the function of many ecosystems in the environment and human health. They contain microorganisms that have a multitude of functions from decomposing decaying organisms, supplying soil with nutrients, storing carbon dioxide and/or breaking down plasticizers which are beneficial to the planet’s health. Additionally, microbiomes in human and animal guts help digest food. On the surface of one’s skin, microbiomes can act as another barrier between the host and a pathogen.

How can they be studied?

Microbiomes can be studied through culture-dependent and -independent methods (i.e., metagenomics). When studying via culture-dependent methods, samples are collected and cultures of the colony of interest are. After growth, the samples are processed for sequencing. When studying via culture-independent methods, samples are collected and the genomic DNA is then isolated for sequencing.

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What is REMNet?

REMNet originated from  a project called the Authentic Research Experience in Microbiology (AREM) which is a modular approach to integrating genomics research into  general biology or microbiology curriculum. AREM specifically investigates the microbiome of all five boroughs of New York City examining its streets and parks  over time. AREM is the first large-scale genomics approach to understanding the makeup of microbial communities in the urban environment.

AREM began at Brooklyn College, one of the colleges in the City of University of New York (CUNY) system, before expanding across the CUNY system and even outside of CUNY.

Mission Statement

The mission of “Microbiomes for All” is to serve as a centralized hub for information and resources on the importance of microbiomes, how they are studied and what we can do with a better understanding of their role in our environments and health.