This study focuses on the bacterial microbiome the diverse communities of bacteria that live in and on the human body.

The research team developed APOLLO a groundbreaking collection of 247,092 advanced computer models each representing the unique metabolic processes of individual microbes within these communities.

This extensive digital database enables scientists to use software to analyze microbial functions and their interactions with health and disease significantly accelerating discoveries that would otherwise depend on time-consuming experiments with living organisms.

Covering multiple continents age groups and body sites APOLLO is the most comprehensive computational model collection of the human microbiome ever created.

The team also developed 14,451 computer simulations of individual microbiome communities based on real-life samples to examine how microbial metabolism varies across body sites age groups and health conditions.

APOLLO’s simulations further identified key fecal metabolites associated with Crohn’s disease Parkinson’s disease and child undernutrition insights that could guide future diagnostic and treatment strategies.

This research was conducted by scientists at the University of Galway’s Digital Metabolic Twin Centre led by Professor Ines Thiele a principal investigator with APC Microbiome Ireland a leading research center for microbiome studies hosted by University College Cork.

How APOLLO Will Benefit Society:
Enhanced Diagnostics – By identifying microbial metabolic markers APOLLO could facilitate the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools enabling earlier and more precise disease detection.

Personalized Treatments – Simulations can predict how an individual’s microbiome interacts with their diet medications and health conditions paving the way for tailored treatments that optimize gut health and improve therapeutic responses.

Advancements in Drug Development and Probiotics – APOLLO could help design targeted probiotics prebiotics and microbiome-based therapies leading to more effective treatments for specific diseases.

Public Health Insights – With its diverse microbiome data APOLLO offers a global perspective on how modern lifestyles influence microbiome health. This knowledge can inform public health policies related to antibiotic use diet and disease prevention.

By integrating data on dietary habits and health conditions these models can generate testable hypotheses and personalized health recommendations. APOLLO marks a significant advancement toward digital twin-enabled precision healthcare bringing us closer to customized health solutions for individuals worldwide.

Source: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2025/february/researchers-create-worlds-largest-digital-microbe-collection-to-transform-health-research-1.html#