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The Microbiome Initiative: Connecting the Microbiome to Health.  The complexity of the microbiome — intricate biological communities inside humans, animals, and even the soil — is vast. Their connections have the potential to benefit health and well-being. But rigorous science is required to ensure that medical, veterinary, dietary and soil-management interventions targeting the microbiome are effective and well-understood. This theme brings together OSU experts from biology, human and veterinary medicine, computer science, mathematics, behavioral sciences, social sciences and engineering to better understand microbiome-associated diseases and processes that impact health.