Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM CoRE)

MVM CoRE Research

Microbiome research has the potential to impact prevention and interventions for many conditions. The Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM CoRE) remains committed to exploring the complexities of the human microbiome in pursuit of healthier lives for all members of our Veteran and military community.

Four Pillars of current MVM CoRE Research

There are many ongoing research projects in the four pillars. Continue reading to learn more about each focus area.

Research pillars include the Veteran Microbiome Projects, Probiotics and Immunomodulation, Built Environment and Environmental Pathogens.

Veteran Microbiome Projects

Veterans and military service members have unique lifestyles and challenges. The Veteran Microbiome Projects use microbiome samples, survey questionnaires and data from electronic health records to investigate the roles of the human and built microbiomes on mental and physical health.

We investigate the roles of the human and built microbiomes on mental and physical health.

Featured research in Veteran Microbiome Projects:

The Veteran Microbiome Project investigates the role of the human microbiome on psychological and physical health. This study enrolled diverse Veterans to collect skin, oral and gut microbiome samples over time to learn how the microbiome is linked to health. Link to reference

Probiotics and Immunomodulation

Certain microorganisms have the potential to benefit mental and physical health. We are currently researching how probiotics and modulation of the immune system can improve health outcomes.

We explore how probiotics can improve mental and physical health in the Veteran and military community.

Featured research in Probiotics and Immunomodulation:

Veterans from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) that supported the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a probiotic intervention (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938). Link to reference

Many Veterans of the post-9/11 era experienced traumatic events during their service. As a result, this population has high rates of PTSD. PTSD is complex, and there is evidence that some symptoms can be affected by the bacteria that live in our gut, also called the gut microbiome. We want to find new ways to treat PTSD, and one of those ways may be by giving Veterans "good" bacteria in the form of a probiotic pill. We are interested in examining how taking probiotics affects the gut microbiome, and observing if changes in the microbiome affect how Veterans with PTSD react to stress. Inflammation is thought to play an important role in stress, and we are testing the use of probiotics to reduce inflammation. We describe the rationale, design, and methods of a RCT of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG; ATCC 53103) for PTSD (Link to reference). To read more about this research, visit the study website.

Built Environment

The built environment, which consists of human-made spaces where people live and work, can shape the human microbiomes and in turn impact mental and physical health. Our researchers examine how various aspects of the built environment, such as air quality, lighting and surface microbes influence health.

We examine how various aspects of the built environment influence health in the Veteran and military community. 

Featured research in Built Environment:

The microbiome of the built environment has important implications for human health. This longitudinal study explored the relationship between cohabitation and skin and gut microbiota of United States Air Force Academy cadets. Link to reference

Environmental Pathogens

We also focus on how environmental pathogens impact the health of Veterans and service members by influencing inflammatory and metabolic pathways.

We demonstrate how environmental pathogens impact mood and behavior through biological pathways.

Featured research in Environmental Pathogens:

Our team is engaged in scholarship regarding the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health. Link to reference 1 | Link to reference 2

Future Directions

MVM CoRE research has the potential to impact prevention, treatments and interventions for many health conditions.

The Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education remains committed to developing future studies that will explore the complexities of the human and built microbiomes. We advance microbiome science in pursuit of healthier lives for all members of our community.

Additional Research Publications

Find all scientific publications within each research pillar and more on the MVM CoRE Resources page.

MVM CoRE Site Navigation

Last Updated 23 September 2022