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<h4>Advancement for Digestion, Immunity and Well-Being</h4>
<p>Scientists at University of Galway have developed the world’s largest collection of digital microbes, a breakthrough set to revolutionise health research and precision medicine.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The human microbiome—the trillions of bacteria living in and on our bodies—plays a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The project, called APOLLO, comprises 247,092 advanced computer models, each representing a unique microbe found in the human microbiome.&nbsp;</p>
<p>APOLLO offers the most extensive computational model collection of the human microbiome to date, spanning multiple continents, age groups, and body sites.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>By mapping the metabolic processes of these microbes, researchers can now use software to explore how bacteria interact with the body and influence health, without relying solely on time-consuming lab experiments.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h4>A New Era in Microbiome Research</h4>
<p>In addition to individual microbes, the team also simulated 14,451 microbiome communities from real-life samples, providing insights into how microbial metabolism varies by age, body site, and health condition. These simulations have already helped predict key microbial markers linked to Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and child undernutrition, opening new doors for early diagnosis and treatment strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Advancing Precision Healthcare&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
<p>The research, led by Professor Ines Thiele at University of Galway’s Digital Metabolic Twin Centre, was conducted in collaboration with institutions in Ireland, France, and Italy, including University College Cork, University College Dublin, APC Microbiome Ireland, University of Lorraine, and University of Padova.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h4>Professor Thiele highlighted APOLLO’s groundbreaking potential:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
<p>“Understanding the microbiome’s complex interactions requires cutting-edge technology. With APOLLO, we’ve created the first global-scale personalised microbiome model. This is a major step towards digital twin-enabled precision healthcare, where treatments can be tailored to an individual’s microbiome, diet, and health conditions.”&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Dr. Cyrille Thinnes, a scientist on the project, emphasised the impact of modern lifestyles on microbiome health:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
<p>“Westernised diets, sedentary habits, and antibiotic overuse are affecting microbial diversity. APOLLO captures a vast range of microbes across diverse populations, filling critical gaps in global health research.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h4>How APOLLO Could Benefit Society&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
<p>With APOLLO, researchers at University of Galway are not only deepening our understanding of the microbiome but also bringing the future of precision medicine one step closer to reality.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>I<strong>mproved Diagnostics:</strong> By identifying microbial markers, APOLLO could lead to non-invasive diagnostic tools for earlier disease detection.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Personalised Treatments:</strong> Simulations may help tailor treatments based on an individual’s microbiome and response to diet or medication.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Probiotics &amp; Drug Development:</strong> APOLLO could pave the way for designing targeted probiotics and microbiome-based therapies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Public Health Insights:</strong> By including diverse microbiomes, the research can help shape policies on diet, antibiotic use, and disease prevention.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The study has been published in Cell Systems, and full details can be accessed <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-systems/fulltext/S2405-4712(25)00029-8" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;</p>


University of Galway Creates World’s Largest Digital Microbe Collection

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