The microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other microorganisms that live inside (and on) people and animals. They interact with our immune system, and when this interaction goes wrong it can lead to a host of problems including autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, we don't yet fully understand exactly how that interaction works, and that's where the International Microbiome Centre (IMC) comes in. 

The IMC at the University of Calgary is a translational research centre designed to investigate the microbiome of humans, plants, animals, and the physical environment. Together, world class microbiome researchers, advanced technologies, and collaborative research networks spark groundbreaking discoveries that harness the healing power of the microbiome.

Researchers at the IMC study changes in the microbiome under highly controlled conditions, using gnotobiotic and germ-free mouse models to learn how specific microbes can influence the immune system and overall health of these organisms.

Learn more about the IMC here.