Australia's Dedicated Microbiome Research Centre
About the Microbiome Research Centre
Established as a pioneering force in microbiome research, the Microbiome Research Centre (MRC) has been at the forefront of scientific discovery since its inception. Our facility, based in Australia, is dedicated to unraveling the complex interactions within microbial communities and their influence on human health. With a rich history of innovation and collaboration, we strive to make microbiome science accessible to all, fostering a deeper understanding of its potential to transform medicine and wellness.
Our centre is renowned for its cutting-edge research and commitment to excellence. We have assembled a team of leading scientists, clinicians, bioinformaticians, inventors and entrepreneurs who are passionate about advancing the field of microbiome science. Through our work, we aim to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and practical applications, ensuring that our findings are both impactful and understandable.
What is the Microbiome?
Humans are host to an enormous invisible ecosystem of microbes that influence almost every system in the body. The most common microbes that live in or on our bodies are bacteria, archaea, viruses, protozoa and fungi. This intriguing community of microbes are collectively known as our microbiota.
Our microbiota contributes to over fifty percent of our cellular makeup and can influence a wide range of physiological functions including our mood, appetite and immune responses. The collective genetic material of the microbiota, our microbiome, is remarkably dynamic. Our body harbours several niche composites of microbiome ecosystems within the gut, skin, reproductive tract, liver, eyes, mouth, nose and even within our belly button!
We know very little about how our microbiome swings the pendulum between health and disease. What we do know is that there is an inextricable link between the diversity and balance of our microbiome and our susceptibility to disease.
The abundance of our thriving beneficial microbes keeps the pathogenic microbes in check and maintains a harmonious balance. However, when pathogenic microbes dominate, this balance is disturbed and we enter a state of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is associated with several diseases including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and asthma. Our lifestyle choices, our diet, our use of antibiotics and medications and the environment we live in can influence the composition of the microbiome.
Our research is realising the captivating potential of the human microbiome as a novel target for human health. By understanding how over 1 million genes contributed by the human microbiome, together with our 25,000 inherited genes nurture our state of health, we can better improve
Advancing Microbiome Science for a Healthier Future
Our Mission
At the Microbiome Research Centre, our mission is to lead the charge in microbiome research, pushing the boundaries of what is known and what is possible. We are committed to exploring the intricate relationships between microbes and their hosts, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes worldwide.
We believe in the power of knowledge and the importance of sharing it. Our mission extends beyond research; it encompasses education, collaboration, and innovation. By making microbiome science accessible and engaging, we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
Pioneering Microbiome Research
Our Vision for the Future
At Australia’s First Microbiome Research Centre, our vision is to lead the way in microbiome science, making groundbreaking discoveries that transform health and well-being. We are dedicated to advancing research that is not only innovative but also accessible to all, ensuring that the benefits of our work reach communities worldwide.
At Australia’s First Microbiome Research Centre, our vision is to lead the way in microbiome science, making groundbreaking discoveries that transform health and well-being. We are dedicated to advancing research that is not only innovative but also accessible to all, ensuring that the benefits of our work reach communities worldwide.
News
MRC Director Engages in International Microbiome Collaboration in India
MRC Director Engages in International Microbiome Collaboration in India AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad Professor Emad El-Omar, Director of the UNSW Microbiome Research Centre (MRC), visited AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, in January 2026 to engage with colleagues at the launch of...
Prof El-Omar Lectures at the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2025 and the Pancreas Summit in Melbourne, Sep 2025.
World Congress of Gastroenterology 2025 and Pancreas Summit, Melbourne Professor Emad El-Omar delivered invited lectures at the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2025 and at the Pancreas Summit in Melbourne. His presentations focused on emerging insights into the gut...
Lecture at the 25th Congress of Gastroenterology China in Changsha, China.
2025 Asian Pacific Digestive Week, 18 – 22 November 2025
Professor Emad El-Omar, Director of the Microbiome Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, recently chaired the microbiome session at Asian Pacific Digestive Week 2025 in Singapore. He also delivered a state-of-the-art lecture entitled “Gastrointestinal...
The Australian Gastro Week (AGW), held in conjunction with the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Melbourne (18–22 September 2025),
The Australian Gastro Week (AGW), held in conjunction with the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Melbourne (18–22 September 2025), featured strong representation from the Microbiome Research Centre, with active participation from both the IBD and Liver research...
St George and Sutherland Shire artists go by gut instinct in new exhibition
The Microbiome Research Centre (MRC) is proud to support two new exhibitions that bring gut health into the public eye in a bold and creative way. At Bankstown Arts Centre, the exhibition Gut Waters features Helen Pynor’s Lunar Cycle — 28 days of the artist’s own...
Meal Timing and Microbiome – Survey only
Researchers at the University of Sydney are investigating whether early birds and night owls differ in their meal timing and sleep habits.Chronotype refers to an individual's natural preference for sleeping and waking times, influenced by their internal biological...
Chrono_Meal
Does the timing of meals affect the health and sleep of night owls and early birds differently?Researchers at the University of Sydney and MRC seek the answer : Does the timing of meals affect the health and sleep of night owls and early birds?Meal timing plays a...
HOAM-Dementia Group
Dementia is a complex neurodegenerative disorder which leads to a decline in mental health.Living within each one of us are many communities of microorganisms (or microbes). While some microbes can coexist within our bodies without causing harm, or indeed promote...
INHABIT
Exploring the role of anthocyanins and probiotics on quality-of-life, inflammation and the gut microbiome in Ulcerative Colitis. Researchers from the University of Wollongong are recruiting adults with Ulcerative Colitis for an exciting study to find out whether...
Mothersbabies
Are you interested in finding out how our microbiome (the DNA of all the ‘bugs’ that live on us and in us) can impact on pregnancies and breastfeeding, in both good and bad ways? Did you know that what you eat, who you date, your physical activity, living environment,...
AIM
Researchers within the Sydney+ IBD Research Consortia and the Microbiome Research Centre, UNSW Sydney are inviting people with IBD, their family members and the general population to learn about the changes in the human microbiome.How to participate Click here or scan...
HOAM
What does the ultimate healthy microbiome look like? Researchers at UNSW Microbiome Research Centre are trying to find out.Living within each one of us are many communities of microorganisms (or microbes). While some microbes can coexist within our bodies without...
