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.

Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences

The Puerto Rico Center for Microbiome Sciences (PR-CMS), established at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus through an NIH COBRE award, is the first microbiome research hub in the Caribbean. Its mission is to accelerate microbiome research, expand scientific capacity, and foster an interdisciplinary community.

University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine

Microbiology Department, Guillermo Arbona building, Suite A376
PO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067

Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
Director
Phone: 787-758-25252 ext 2096
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COBRE PR-CMS Kick off meeting

May 30, 2025, San Juan, PR

Read more

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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.