The Weekly Biome
A clearer view of microbiome science. Expert-developed articles connect mechanisms, evidence, and limitations—so you can understand what a finding means and how much confidence it deserves.
One expert-developed article each Tuesday. Free access on Substack, delivered to your inbox.
Behind every article,
a scientific standard.
A defined question
Each article begins with a focused question and a documented search across relevant peer-reviewed research.
Expert interpretation
Our scientists connect the findings across papers, weigh the evidence, and explain mechanisms alongside uncertainty.
Review before release
Claims and references are verified. A member of the team other than the writer reviews the article before publication.
Explore the science.
Read published articles below, or visit Substack for the current editions and subscription options.
How Transit Time Changes What Gut Microbes Do
A stool sample can reveal which microbes and microbial products leave the intestine. It cannot show that community outside the journey that created it. Before the sample was collected, food and waste moved through the
How Gut Bacteria Help Vitamin A Train the Immune System
The gut microbiome can influence how vitamin A signals reach the immune system. Vitamin A is essential for intestinal immunity, but having the nutrient present in the gut does not guarantee that the cells requiring
How Bacteria Capture PFAS and Build Forever Chemicals Into Their Membranes
PFAS are called forever chemicals because their fluorinated carbon structures resist many of the chemical reactions that normally break environmental compounds down. Bacteria do not simply coexist with these chemicals, however. Evidence now shows that
The Gut Metabolite That May Accelerate Alzheimer’s Biology
The connection between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease is often discussed in terms of changes in bacterial composition. A more specific question is now emerging: whether molecules produced by gut bacteria can enter circulation
