Skip to main content

Post Layout: Full

Science in the Field: Dr. Walter Sandoval’s Mission to Map Rural Microbiomes in Paraguay

Written by Julie B. O'Brien on . Posted in Field Notes, Blogs.

What motivated you to study the microbiome in rural Paraguay? 

Only recently were we able to decipher the Paraguayan gut microbiome — and that research was limited to urban populations in the Asunción metro area. Until then, no other work had been done with a Paraguayan population, meaning Paraguay was vastly underrepresented in microbiome studies. Since microbiomes can vary significantly across populations, the next logical step in my goal to put Paraguay on the microbiome map was to begin studying rural communities. 

Advancing Care for Pediatric Patients with C. difficile: Insights from a Clinical Webinar on Investigational FMT

Written by [email protected] on . Posted in Resources.

On March 28, 2023, OpenBiome convened a live webinar featuring a distinguished panel of physicians from Boston Children’s Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the University of Minnesota. The discussion focused on the clinical management of pediatric patients with Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection, with a particular emphasis on diagnostic considerations and the use of investigational fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). 

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: An Introduction to FMT, its History, and Therapeutic Potential

Written by [email protected] on . Posted in Resources.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a groundbreaking medical procedure that involves transplanting stool from a healthy donor into the gut of a recipient. This treatment helps restore the balance of bacteria in the intestine, offering powerful therapeutic benefits—most notably in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections. 

FMT Update & Future Directions

Written by [email protected] on . Posted in Publications.

I am writing to share an important and transformative update about OpenBiome.

In light of the FDA’s recent decision to end enforcement discretion, we have had to make some difficult decisions—most notably, scaling back our exceptional team and ceasing the distribution of investigational Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT). The outcome, although unavoidable, deeply affects us all as we fully recognize the critical role this treatment has played for clinicians and the patients you care for, particularly those battling severe and fulminant Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections. Rest assured, however, that while it may take time, we are actively exploring new avenues to ensure patients can access this life-changing therapy.