Explore the fascinating world of the microbiome and its impact on human health in this 37-minute lecture by Professor Tim Spector at The Royal Institution. Delve into the complex community of trillions of microbes living in our colon and learn how they influence digestion, appetite, mood, metabolism, and immune system function. Discover insights from the TwinsUK cohort study, which has provided valuable data on microbial diversity and its relationship to overall health outcomes. Gain understanding of the microbiome's role in responding to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Learn about novel measures of health, such as the microbial health index, and how to maintain a healthy microbiome throughout life. Examine the effects of diet, including sugar, antibiotics, and specific foods like French cheese, on microbial diversity. Uncover the potential of citizen science projects and innovative approaches like the Predict Study and fecal transplants in advancing microbiome research.