From the left, Professor Kim Ji-hyun of Yonsei University, Professor Curtis Huttonhauer of Harvard University’s School of Public Health, Professor Kwon Soon-kyung of Gyeongsang National University, and Dr. Nikos Kypidis, Group Leader of the Microbiome Data Science Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Joint Genome Institute of the U.S. Department of Energy. /Courtesy of Yonsei University

"Microbiome-based treatment will evolve to be administered by combining strains depending on an individual's gut environment in the future."

On the 25th of last month, Curtis Huttenhower, a professor at Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, noted that "microbiome-based therapeutics (Live Biotherapeutic Product, LBP) is nearing the point of actual implementation in the medical field, beyond the realm of simple possibility." He came to Korea to attend the 'RECOMB-Microbiome 2025 Seoul Conference' held at Yonsei University in Sinchon.

The microbiome refers to the microbial community and the various metabolites they produce. It is known to affect not only the human gut environment but also immunity, metabolism, and even brain function, drawing attention as a next-generation bio-innovation field. Recently, research using the microbiome to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases has accelerated as various associations with different diseases have been revealed.

Professor Huttenhower added, "Within the next 10 years, customized microbial therapeutics tailored to disease characteristics or an individual's gut microbiome will emerge following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval."

Until now, microbiome therapeutics have been based on universally designed microbial combinations. Therefore, while there have been effects for specific diseases, the mechanisms behind why they work have not been clearly established. However, as recent studies gradually reveal how specific strains modulate immune responses and affect drug metabolism, the transition to customized LBP is beginning.

A microscopic photo illustrating various microorganisms that coexist in the human gut, expressed in color. /Courtesy of Eye of Science

Professor Huttenhower mentioned, "I believe that microbiome therapies precisely designed based on mechanisms will become possible, similar to cancer immunotherapy." He also stated, "Some low-molecular-weight drugs that failed in clinical trials may be due to unexpected interactions with the microbiome," adding that "moving forward, treatment designs reflecting the correlation between the microbiome and drug responses will become increasingly important."

He noted that the microbiome could also be utilized in disease diagnostics. Professor Huttenhower said, "Changes in the composition of the microbial community can be used as early signals for cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases," and added, "Microbiome-based diagnostics are currently undervalued due to low commercialization levels and limited investment, but the mechanisms are clear, indicating significant potential."

Nikos Kyrpides, head of the microbiome data science group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, also mentioned that "the microbiome can evolve into a precision diagnostic tool that predicts drug responses and classifies patient populations," emphasizing that it holds the potential to change the health paradigm itself.

He stated, "By 2030, it is said that 80% of current jobs will disappear, and the microbiome field will see completely new approaches emerge within five years," adding that "instead of killing pathogens with antibiotics, methods that restore the microbial community to naturally eliminate pathogens will emerge."

However, Korea faces a significant risk of falling behind in this trend. Kim Ji-hyun, a professor at Yonsei University and co-chair of the conference, said, "In Korea, research has primarily focused on applied research, and there is a lack of long-term cohort-based big data," urging that "the accumulation of microbiome information based on the domestic population is urgent due to differences in diet, genetic background, and living environment compared to the West." Cohort studies are a key foundation for understanding the correlation between microbial composition and diseases by tracking specific populations over decades.

Analytical technology and workforce are also challenges. The microbiome is an interdisciplinary field that requires expertise in biology, artificial intelligence (AI), ecosystem modeling, and statistical interpretation; however, there is a shortage of specialized personnel in Korea. Professor Kim emphasized, "The microbiome is solidifying its position as a key element of future healthcare," and stated that, "In order to prepare for the microbiome era, Korea must rebuild its foundational data and analytical infrastructure."