Two linked studies from the NIH-funded TransBiota project reveal that genital microbiomes in transmasculine and transfeminine individuals di>er fundamentally from those of cisgender women. Together, the findings challenge long-standing assumptions about “optimal” microbiome states and underscore the need for evidence-based, gender-affirming clinical care.

In Nature Communications, we introduce VIRGO2, a next-generation gene catalog that dramatically expands our ability to study the function and ecology of the vaginal microbiome. This open resource enables more precise, mechanistic analyses of microbial communities that are central to women’s health.

In a new study published in the Journal of Law and the Biosciences, we examine whether current U.S. regulations adequately protect consumers using direct-to-consumer microbiome tests. Our findings highlight significant gaps in oversight and raise concerns about test validity, consumer harm, and the responsible translation of microbiome science into clinical and commercial practice.

After a successful launch at the Mid-Atlantic Microbiome Meet-up in March, CAMRI is featured in UMB’s magazine Catalyst.