Who we are
The Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences (PR-CMS) is the premier microbiome research center in the Caribbean region, established at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus through an NIH NIGMS COBRE award. Our mission is to accelerate microbiome research, expand scientific capacity, and cultivate an interdisciplinary community at the forefront of microbiome discovery.
As the first center of its kind in the Caribbean, the PR-CMS provides state-of-the-art sequence data analysis, and research support to investigators across Puerto Rico. By integrating expertise in microbiology, data science, clinical research, and translational science, the Center serves as a powerful platform for innovation in health, disease, behavior, and environmental microbiome studies.
The PR-CMS is built upon three coordinated cores:
- Administrative Core – Strengthens research infrastructure and leads faculty development initiatives.
- Microbiome Research Core – Provides cutting-edge instrumentation and data-analysis capabilities.
- Research Support Core – Supports the work of early-career Research Project Leaders (RPLs) and other faculty users of the COBRE facility, advancing microbiome-driven studies in areas such as mental health, seizure disorders, cancer and others.
Through these programs, the PR-CMS fosters the growth of meritorious junior investigators, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and expands research opportunities for students, trainees, and scientists at all levels across the island.
The PR-CMS is also a member of the U.S. Microbiome Centers of Excellence Consortium, connecting Puerto Rico to a nationwide network dedicated to setting data standards, sharing resources, and advancing ethical microbiome research.
Check out the Newsletter September 2025 of the Microbiome Centers Consortium (MCC), announcing our center’s partnership
Our Mission
The Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences is dedicated to advancing microbiome research in the region by establishing itself as a premier resource center, equipped with instrumentation, robust analytical capabilities, and comprehensive training opportunities.
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.
The PR-CMS is fully aligned with the mission of the University of Puerto Rico and that of the Medical Sciences Campus by advancing education, research, and innovation in microbiome science. Through cutting-edge training programs, the PR-CMS will educate a diverse and competent new generation of physicians, researchers, and biomedical scientists.
The center’s initiatives in data integration, bioinformatics, and multi-omics not only enhance research capacity but also elevate the quality and relevance of research and teaching across the biomedical sciences.
In alignment with UPR’s commitment to serve humanity, PR-CMS will strive to improve the quality of life for all through equitable and impactful microbiome research.
