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Q&A with Christian John Lillis, CEO and Co-Founder of the Peggy Lillis Foundation

Written by Julie B. O'Brien on . Posted in News, OpenDialog.

OpenDialog July 2026 – Issue Three

This month’s Q&A features the CEO and Co-Founder of the Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF), the leading nonprofit organization that is building a nationwide C. diff (Clostridioides difficile) awareness movement by educating the public, empowering advocates, and shaping policy. He is Christian John Lillis, a tireless advocate, fundraiser and thought leader; and most critically, Christian is the eldest son of Peggy Lillis who died tragically at the age of 56 from C. diff.

Q&A with Dr. Alexander Khoruts, Director of the Microbiota Therapeutics Program, UMN

Written by Julie B. O'Brien on . Posted in News, OpenDialog.

OpenDialog May 2026 – Issue Two

Patient outcomes may depend on science that’s moving faster than any of us can track. OpenBiome Foundation’s monthly newsletter cuts through the noise – delivering focused conversations in Q&A format with leading researchers and clinicians on the microbiome discoveries most relevant to your practice. No jargon, no fluff. Just the insights worth your time.

This second edition features an innovative leader in microbiome discoveries and for C. difficile and its treatments. He is Dr. Alexander Khoruts, Director of the Microbiota Therapeutics Program, UMN.

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

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

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. 

OpenBiome Foundation Launches to Catalyze Breakthroughs in Microbiome Science 

Written by [email protected] on . Posted in Announcements, News.

July 16, 2025 (Woburn, MA) —Today, the pioneering nonprofit OpenBiome, becomes the OpenBiome Foundation – a bold evolution designed to fuel innovation, and ensure microbiome science delivers real impact for people all over the world. The shift reflects a changing regulatory environment while expanding on early successes and expertise.   

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, OpenDialog.

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. 

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.