The NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is a major initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the human microbiome. The project aims to characterize the microbiome in multiple body sites from at least 250 volunteers, determine associations between microbiome changes and health/disease, and provide a standardized data resource and new technologies for broader scientific research. The HMP also considers ethical, legal, and social implications of microbiome research. The human body hosts a vast number of bacteria, with the majority found in the gastrointestinal tract. While previous studies focused on disease-causing organisms, the HMP seeks to understand the role of the resident microbiome in health and disease. The project builds on the human genome sequence and aims to understand the interactions between humans and their microbial communities. The HMP uses advanced sequencing technologies, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics, to study the microbiome. It involves collecting samples from various body sites, sequencing them, and analyzing the data to identify patterns and correlations with health conditions. The project also includes a data analysis and coordination center (DACC) to manage and share data. The HMP has several phases, including the Jumpstart phase, which focused on sequencing bacterial genomes and developing protocols for sample collection and analysis. The second phase involves demonstration projects to study the microbiome's relationship to specific diseases. The HMP also includes an International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC) to coordinate global research efforts. The HMP is a 5-year project with a budget of $150 million. It aims to create a comprehensive database of microbiome data and to demonstrate the potential of microbiome research in improving human health. The project involves collaboration with various research institutions and is supported by the NIH Roadmap for Biomedical Research. The HMP also addresses ethical, legal, and social implications of microbiome research, including privacy concerns and the potential for stigmatization based on microbiome characteristics. The project emphasizes rapid data release and open access to data while ensuring the protection of individual privacy.The NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is a major initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the human microbiome. The project aims to characterize the microbiome in multiple body sites from at least 250 volunteers, determine associations between microbiome changes and health/disease, and provide a standardized data resource and new technologies for broader scientific research. The HMP also considers ethical, legal, and social implications of microbiome research. The human body hosts a vast number of bacteria, with the majority found in the gastrointestinal tract. While previous studies focused on disease-causing organisms, the HMP seeks to understand the role of the resident microbiome in health and disease. The project builds on the human genome sequence and aims to understand the interactions between humans and their microbial communities. The HMP uses advanced sequencing technologies, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics, to study the microbiome. It involves collecting samples from various body sites, sequencing them, and analyzing the data to identify patterns and correlations with health conditions. The project also includes a data analysis and coordination center (DACC) to manage and share data. The HMP has several phases, including the Jumpstart phase, which focused on sequencing bacterial genomes and developing protocols for sample collection and analysis. The second phase involves demonstration projects to study the microbiome's relationship to specific diseases. The HMP also includes an International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC) to coordinate global research efforts. The HMP is a 5-year project with a budget of $150 million. It aims to create a comprehensive database of microbiome data and to demonstrate the potential of microbiome research in improving human health. The project involves collaboration with various research institutions and is supported by the NIH Roadmap for Biomedical Research. The HMP also addresses ethical, legal, and social implications of microbiome research, including privacy concerns and the potential for stigmatization based on microbiome characteristics. The project emphasizes rapid data release and open access to data while ensuring the protection of individual privacy.