Resources: Education & Outreach

The Education and Outreach activities of the COBRE Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences (PR-CMS) are designed to educate the broader community about the rapidly evolving and dynamic field of microbiome science while expanding regional knowledge and capacity in microbiome research. Through inclusive and accessible programming, PR-CMS promotes scientific literacy and awareness of the critical roles that microbiomes play in environmental sustainability, human health, and ecosystem resilience.

Our outreach efforts engage diverse audiences, including students, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members, through workshops, seminars, public lectures, training activities, and hands-on learning experiences. These initiatives aim to demystify microbiome science, highlight its relevance to everyday life, and inspire the next generation of scientists in 

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

By fostering community engagement and educational partnerships, PR-CMS strengthens regional expertise, supports workforce development, and builds a sustainable foundation for microbiome research and innovation in the region.

What Is the Microbiome? Tiny organisms that rule the world

The microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes—and their genetic material that live in and on all living organisms. In humans, these microbial communities inhabit places like the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory and reproductive tracts.

Far from being harmful, most of these microbes play essential roles in health: they help digest food, support the immune system, protect against pathogens, and influence many aspects of physiology. Microbiomes also exist in soils, oceans, plants, and animals, shaping ecosystems and driving biological processes across the planet.

In short, the microbiome is a dynamic, interconnected world of microbes that affects nearly every aspect of life. Take a look at important manuscripts from the COBRE leadership that focus on microbiomes across systems

Check out these review articles on the Microbiome by the Center’s Leadership:

•  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11396321/pdf/ijms-25-09715.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11238057/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6580755/

Stay tuned to our news and upcoming events  

• The COBRE Microbiome club program serves as a scholarly community and the education and outreach arm of the Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences at the UPR School of Medicine. We provide a collaborative space for students, researchers, clinicians, and community members interested in microbiome science and its impact on health and the environment.
• We host regular seminars, workshops, community outreach activities, and professional development events. The Microbiome Club seeks to contribute  to the major Center events, including the annual Microbiome Symposium, and promotes community-building through collaborative projects, science communication initiatives, and student-driven ideas. We also plan to lead new outreach campaigns, create educational materials, and support hands-on learning opportunities for trainees at all levels.
• We are actively seeking members who want to help shape the future of microbiome engagement at the UPR School of Medicine. If you are interested in getting involved or proposing new outreach ideas, we welcome you to join us.

RESEARCH AT THE PUERTO RICO CENTER FOR MICROBIOME SCIENCES

The Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences (PR-CMS) advances understanding of how microbial communities influence human health, the environment, and disease. Its researchers use genomic, metabolomic, and computational tools to study microbiomes across diverse Caribbean populations and ecosystems. The Center supports interdisciplinary projects that explore microbial diversity, host–microbe interactions, and the role of the microbiome in health disparities. The PR-CMS also builds research capacity by training new scientists, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering collaborations across institutions in Puerto Rico and globally.

COBRE Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences (PR-CMS)

By providing essential infrastructure and expert guidance, the Center ensures accessibility to cutting-edge microbiome science for researchers at every career stage across Puerto Rico, promoting a broader participation in scientific discovery.

Moreover, through enhancing microbiome literacy and fostering a diverse scientific workforce, the PR-CMS positions Puerto Rico as a pivotal hub for microbiome research, addressing critical questions in health, disease, and industrial innovation.