Exploring the hidden microbiome of high-altitude pastoral communities of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, Pakistan

Modern lifestyles, changing diets, urbanization, and increased antibiotic exposure are rapidly transforming the human microbiome. However, the composition and functional potential of the microbiome in traditional communities, such as pastoral herders, remain largely unexplored. This project explores the gut microbiome of high-altitude pastoral communities living in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region of Pakistan. By studying these unique communities, we hope to expand knowledge of the relationship between humans, their environment, and the invisible microbial world that lives within us.