Human Microbiome Action - International Human Microbiome Coordination and Support Action

The human microbiome is currently a hot topic in the scientific world. Trillions of microbes live on and inside our bodies, collectively referred to as our microbiome. This vast community of microbes plays a crucial role in health and disease development. In recent years, researchers have observed several links between changes in the microbiome and various diseases. However, the precise connections remain unclear. Scientists are eager to uncover the potential impact of this newly discovered 'organ' on our health, working diligently to understand the specific links between a healthy microbiome and a healthy body.

The Human Microbiome Action project, which concluded in April 2024, aimed to pave the way for microbiome research and innovation by providing essential guidelines and recommendations to the international research community and regulatory experts. The project brought together experts worldwide to align on critical standards in the field and explore future applications in public health. This work will significantly influence how microbiome-based products are used in the future and their role in the public health sector. Additionally, the project contributed to the establishment of the European Microbiome Centres Consortium, a platform for collaboration among microbiome experts in Europe and beyond.

Funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 program, Human Microbiome Action was coordinated by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), with 17 European partners from 9 different countries working together from 2021 until its completion in 2024.

As the responsible organisation for communication and dissemination activities, EUFIC provided engaging communication materials to partners and implemented activities to increase the impact of the project.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 964590.

As the organisation responsible for communication and dissemination, EUFIC played a pivotal role throughout the project. Key activities included:

• Communication Strategy: EUFIC developed and implemented the communication and dissemination strategy, including the project’s visual identity, website, and social media presence. We also supported project partners in their workshops and outreach efforts, ensuring widespread engagement and long-lasting adoption of the project outcomes.
  

• Educational Resources: EUFIC produced a set of comprehensive factsheets that distil complex scientific findings from the project into accessible information for a broader audience and highlight key information for stakeholders. Additionally, a final infographic summarising the project's key outcomes was created to enhance dissemination and improve the project’s impact. All resources can be found on the projects Zenodo Community.

• Community Engagement: EUFIC engaged the broader microbiome community through initiatives such as the #MicrobiomeAmbassador social media campaign and collaboration with the Microbiome Group of the Sustainable Food Systems Network.

• Final Conference: EUFIC organised the project's final conference on 29th February 2024, which was a major highlight, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the project's outcomes and future directions. For those who missed it, the replay is available below.

For further information, visit humanmicrobiomeaction.eu.

• Stephan Kampshoff, Collaborative Projects - Manager
• Debora Serra, Collaborative Projects - Manager
• Twitter: #HumanMicrobiomeAction / @SciFoodHealth