Scientists Probe 90% Human Microbiome Research Gap in Paraguay
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8
Scientists Probe 90% Human Microbiome Research Gap in Paraguay
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8
Summary
Paraguay has become a field site for a microbiome conservancy project after researchers said about 90% of human microbial diversity has been left out of existing studies.
Mathilde Poyet and Mathieu Groussin traced the gap to a narrow sample base dominated by wealthy, Western and white populations, limiting work on rare bacteria and long-term human-microbe evolution.
The blind spot matters because microbes shape digestion, immunity and body development, and some studies also link the gut microbiome to brain function, mood and behavior.
A broader global map could sharpen research into Crohn’s, irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson’s, dementia and autism, while also uncovering useful microbial compounds for drugs and environmental cleanup.
Could our modern lifestyles be erasing undiscovered cures hidden within the human microbiome?
Who owns the medical cures found in the microbes of remote indigenous populations?
As scientists engineer 'living drugs', what are the biggest risks of releasing them inside our bodies?
From Data Desert to Diversity: Paraguay’s Role in Closing the Global Microbiome Research Gap
Overview
Paraguay has moved from being largely overlooked in global microbiome research to becoming a new center of discovery, thanks to Dr. Walter Sandoval and his team's work decoding the Paraguayan gut microbiome. Previously, studies focused only on urban areas like Asunción, leaving much of the country unstudied and creating a major gap in global understanding. Now, efforts are expanding into rural communities, aiming to reveal the full diversity of Paraguay’s microbiome. This broader research is vital for uncovering unique microbial traits and firmly establishing Paraguay’s role in the worldwide microbiome landscape.