Gut bacteria in miceFLICKR, NIAIDThe White House today (May 13) announced the launch of a National Microbiome Initiative to support research on the microorganisms that live in or on the human body, plants, and other ecosystems, to provide a better understanding of their role in human and environmental health. The project’s goals are to support fundamental research, develop new technologies, and engage more people in this field, according to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
“This is a great day of celebration for everybody in this field,” J. Craig Venter, founder and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute, said during a press briefing held at the White House.
Heeding a call from scientists last year for a moonshot effort akin to the BRAIN Initiative, the federal government plans to invest $121 million in the new microbiome initiative for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. This amount includes $20 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $16 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF), $12.5 million from NASA, $10 million from the Department of Energy, and a total of $23.9 million from the US Department of Agriculture, according to the statement.
In response to a call to action issued by ...
