Thanks to the development of rapid and affordable genomic sequencing
technologies, it is now possible to identify the presence and
function of a huge array of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi as
well as their theatre of action in different ecosystems. Research
has shown that the gut microbiome, referring to the genomes of all
microorganisms living in the gut, can influence human and animal
nutrition and health. In a similar way, it has also been shown that
the microbiomes of soils, rivers, lakes and oceans can affect
environmental health. A recent FAO story looks at the importance of
the microbiome across the food system and for the bioeconomy and
discusses FAOâ??s role in bringing microbiome science into policy
debates.

[www.fao.org]