The Broad Institute Epidemiology Microbiome Collection Core (EMC²) was established in response to strong demand from the research community for validated microbiome collection kit configurations and user-friendly solutions for in-home sampling. Formerly operating under the umbrella of the Harvard Chan Microbiome in Public Health Center (HCMPH), EMC² continues to support population-scale microbiome sample collection and expand our understanding of the microbiome to improve population health.
EMC² has developed a multi-carrier–compatible home stool and oral sample collection kit that enables cost-effective multi-omic microbiome studies. This platform leverages the intellectual and infrastructure foundation established by HMP2 (the second phase of the NIH Human Microbiome Project) and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)-funded MICRO-N (MICRObiome Among Nurses) study.
By providing a customizable microbiome collection kit, EMC² enables researchers to perform a wide range of molecular assays and tailor collection strategies to study-specific needs.