New AI Tool Harnesses Microbiomes for Forensic and Medical Breakthroughs
by Jo Ellen Nott
A research team at Sweden’s Lund University unveiled an AI-driven system in a paper first released on October 7, 2024, titled “Microbiome Geographic Population Structure (mGPS) Detects Fine-Scale Geography.” mGPS uses microorganisms to trace the geographical origins of people or objects.
Acting as a global positioning system for bacteria, the tool analyzes microbial populations to determine where a person has been, such as visiting a beach, walking through a forest, or using public transit. The paper, published in the November 2024 issue of Genome Biology and Evolution, promises innovation that could revolutionize medicine, epidemiology, and criminal investigations.
Microorganisms, including bacteria, create unique “fingerprints” tied to specific locations. mGPS takes advantage of deep learning to analyze these microbial communities, linking samples to precise geographic areas, including countries, cities, and even individual locations like train stations. The research involved an extensive dataset, including microbiome samples from public transit systems in 53 cities, soil from 18 countries, and marine ecosystems from nine bodies of water. Remarkably, mGPS pinpointed the city origin for 92 percent of urban samples and identified specific subway stations in Hong Kong with 82 percent accuracy.
Led by biology researcher Eran Elhaik, the paper highlights the potential for microbiome analysis to address public health and safety challenges. Unlike human DNA, which is relatively stable, the human microbiome changes frequently with environmental exposure. This dynamic nature makes it a powerful forensic tool. By tracing microbial interactions, investigators can map the spread of diseases, identify sources of infection, or track an individual’s movements in criminal investigations.
The precision of mGPS is already impressive, distinguishing microbial differences between objects just one meter apart, such as kiosks and handrails in New York City. As microbiome datasets grow, Elhaik envisions even greater forensic applications, including city-wide mapping projects to comprehensively catalog urban microbiomes.
Although still on the ground floor of its development, mGPS is already transforming the possibilities of microbiome science. Beyond forensic uses, it could enhance our understanding of microbial resistance and environmental health and open new avenues for research and practical applications. mGPS leverages the interconnectedness of humans and their microbial environments and promises to redefine criminal investigations and public health strategies.
Sources: Forensic Mag; Genome Biology and Evolution; News Nine
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