Applying the design-build-test paradigm in microbiome engineering

•Recent progress in microbiome engineering is reviewed.•Design principles to engineer the human microbiome are reviewed.•Methods to engineer microbiome with desired functions are reviewed.•The 'design-build-test' cycle can expedite microbiome engineering.

The recently discovered roles of human microbiome in health and diseases have inspired research efforts across many disciplines to engineer microbiome for health benefits. In this review, we highlight recent progress in human microbiome research and how modifications to the microbiome could result in implications to human health. Furthermore, we discuss the application of a 'design-build-test' framework to expedite microbiome engineering efforts by reviewing current literature on three key aspects: design principles to engineer the human microbiome, methods to engineer microbiome with desired functions, and analytical techniques to examine complex microbiome samples.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (170KB)Download full-size image