The Microsetta Initiative

There are 40 trillion microbial cells in our bodies, making up the human microbiome. With up to 1 lb (0.5 kg) of microbes residing in our gut alone, these microorganisms play a critical role in our health and well-being. We’re on a mission to make groundbreaking discoveries about how these microbes influence everything from digestion to disease.

The Microsetta Initiative, based at the University of California, San Diego, is recruiting participants across the U.S. to help us advance this monumental research project. By contributing to this effort, you’ll help uncover the mysteries of your microbiome and how it relates to health, wellness, and disease.

Our initiative started with the American Gut Project, and today, we remain dedicated to standardizing exceptional microbiome research. Together, we’re advancing our understanding of the trillions of microbes that live in and on us - toward better health for all.