• Every group member is a stakeholder in the collective efforts of the group.
• The group aspires to scientific accuracy and precision in our communications.
• The group acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding skin microbiome science and acknowledges that we are working with imperfect information and techniques.
• The working group welcomes new members providing that new members agree to abide with the defining principles.
• The group acknowledges that definitions are not fixed and subject to change upon group discussion as and when the scientific evidence suggests.
• Upon meeting, the working group will engage in scholarly, civil discourse.
• The group will respect everyone who attends the meetings and acknowledges that everyone has the right to be heard and listened to when voicing their opinions.
• The Global Microbiome Council will maintain an up-to-date public library of agreed-upon microbiome definitions through this website.  

Consumer Definitions

• Microbiome - All microorganisms as represented by their genomic content within a particular environment.
• Microbiota/Microflora - All viable microorganisms present in a specific, defined environment.
• Probiotic – Living (active or dormant) beneficial microorganisms.
• Prebiotic - Nutrient substrates selectively metabolized by beneficial microorganisms.
• Postbiotic - Beneficial, non-living microorganisms, ferments, lysates, isolates, or substances derived from probiotics.
• Synbiotic - Beneficial combinations of a probiotic and its specific prebiotic.
• Symbiotic – Close and long-term association of two different organisms where there may be a benefit to both
• Dysbiosis - Any imbalance within a microbial ecosystem associated with a loss of resilience in response to stress, disease, illness, or an adverse health outcome.
• Resident Microorganisms - Microorganisms that are native or permanent residents to a given environment. Also referred to as indigenous (engrafted) microorganisms.
• Transient Microorganisms - Microorganisms that are temporarily found in an environment.
• Metagenome - The complement of all genetic material present in a defined environment.
• Proteome - The entire set of proteins expressed by organisms in an environment under defined conditions.
• Transcriptome - All RNA transcripts that are derived from organisms within an environment under defined conditions.
• Bioinformatics - Science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data such as genetic or proteomic information.
• Viable Non-culturable Microorganisms - Microorganisms that are living but cannot be grown in a laboratory.
• Biofilms - Communities in which bacteria live, usually on surfaces, often with different species and wrapped in a matrix in which they both communicate and cooperate.

The GMC acknowledges generous support from our Founding Sponsor, Kisaco Research including website, conferences, webinars, and virtual networking engagements.