Patrick De Boever

PDB: Absolutely. We must look beyond the gut up to the

interaction between human microbiota and the expo-

some – environmental microbiome – and vice versa. It’s

important to learn the full range of health impacts that we

are exposed to during our lifetime.

JD: And, if we go further, we get to the concept of “One

Health” where people, animals and ecosystems are all in

balance. On the clinical side, we should also mention the

large cohort studies, such as the Million Microbiome of

Humans Project, that bring researchers the benefits of

data at unprecedented scale. Let’s see what new break-

throughs emerge.

What are the next major challenges?

JD: In terms of complexities, my mind goes to two points:

standardisation of the methods used for microbiota ana-

lysis and legislation for the new microbiome-targeting

therapies.

Standardisation because if we succeed it will bring micro-

biota information to physicians and they will be able to use

them in clinical practice. We have many tools for analysis,

but the process differs across nations. If we want to pre-

sent compelling microbiome information to clinicians, then

we need to have global standards.

PDB: I agree. The field would benefit greatly from a more

structured and organised way of working together. We also

need more open-access repositories, as well as clearer

legislation on bringing biotherapeutics to market. The

Pharmabiotic Research Institute in France brings together

researchers and companies with safety and legislative

authorities, but that is for a specific field in the microbiome.

A more centralised body in Europe, similar to the Micro-

biome Centres Consortium in the US, would certainly help.

JD: We shouldn’t forget regulation. How much will GDPR,

for example, threaten our ability to publish sequence data

in the future, if it is deemed illegal to identify an individual’s

microbiome?

PDB: Very true. I’d add that there are some topics that

fall into both the challenge and opportunity category. Data

science is one. We have a vast resources of (micro)biological

data that can give us new insights by using machine learning

and Artificial Intelligence. Some points of attention are the

data access and privacy.

JD: Nutrition is another opportunity. We know there is a link

to microbiota, but we must go further to factor the way that

people eat and their global heath beyond gastrointestinal

disorders.

In term of research what is your relationship

with Industry?

JD: Good question. I believe that industry-funded research

is essential. For me, it’s the only way to bring our innovation

to physicians – and then all the way into society. In addition,

I think that start-up should receive more support.

PDB: That’s exactly right. We can have an impact only if

products, tools or diagnostics are applicable to society and

the market. We should prioritise greater collaboration with

companies, as they not only have complementary exper-

tise, but also the resources to push research and product

development further.

Are you optimistic for the future

PDB Of course Just think how rapidly our science has pro

gressed in the last five years As technology improves so

does our knowledge

JD I am naturally optimistic and with good reasons Across

the three fields of diagnosis prevention and therapy we

can look forward with strong expectations over the next five

years and beyond

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