Information For Researchers

At AHMB, we are building a globally accessible resource to drive microbiome-based health innovations. Our Australian-first, purpose-built, high-throughput cultivation platform enhances the recovery and growth of diverse microbial species under controlled atmospheric conditions.

By combining cultivation with advanced genome sequencing, we will be able to offer a comprehensive catalogue of microbial strains with detailed genomic profiles, empowering researchers and industry partners to accelerate discoveries, deepen insights into microbial impacts on human health, and support the development of microbiome-based health interventions.

 

What We Offer

What we offerCultured microbiome isolates - Includes both aerobic and anaerobic strains, isolated using optimised cultivation workflows and preserved under validated long-term storage conditions for research use.Short- and long-read genomic data - Sequencing data (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore) available for selected isolates to support strain characterisation, comparative genomics and functional analysis.Isolate-associated metadata - Including body site, culture conditions and relevant donor context (such as age group and health status, provided in accordance with ethical approvals).

 

Accessing Isolates and Data

Research Use - Researchers wishing to access microbial isolates from the AHMB must complete a Sample Request Application Form. Applications are reviewed by the Biobank Access Committee to ensure alignment with ethical approvals, donor consent and the objectives of the biobank.If approved, the researcher will be required to sign a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) and an Approved User Acknowledgement Form, and pay the applicable invoice. Once these steps are completed, the requested isolates will be released.By accessing materials from AHMB, researchers agree to comply with all terms of the MTA for the duration of their project. This includes maintaining accurate records of isolate use, acknowledging AHMB in publications and presentations, and notifying the biobank if the materials are intended for commercial applications. In such cases, a Commercialisation Agreement must be negotiated and approved prior to use.Commercialization - If you are considering any form of commercial application now or in the future, we’d be excited to explore this opportunity with you! In this case, we can begin the process to put a formal agreement in place to support this use.

 

Opportunities for Collaboration

The Australian Human Microbiome Biobank (AHMB) actively welcomes collaborations with academic institutions, clinical researchers, and industry partners who share our commitment to advancing microbiome science and its applications in health and disease.

Our team supports a wide range of collaborative opportunities, from early-stage exploratory research to translational studies and commercial development. We are particularly interested in projects that align with our core areas of expertise:

The Australian Human Microbiome Biobank (AHMB) actively welcomes collaborations with academic institutions, clinical researchers and industry partners who share our commitment to advancing microbiome science and its applications in health and disease.Our team supports a wide range of collaborative opportunities, from early-stage exploratory research to translational studies and commercial development. We are particularly interested in projects that align with our core areas of expertise:1. Novel strain isolation and characterisation - We offer access to a diverse collection of human-associated microbial strains and have extensive capabilities in high-throughput isolation, cultivation and phenotypic characterisation. We are excited to partner on efforts to identify and understand new or underrepresented microbial taxa relevant to human health.2. Microbiome-Based Therapeutics and Diagnostics - AHMB supports the development and validation of microbiome-informed therapeutics, live biotherapeutic products, and diagnostic tools. We provide biological materials, technical expertise, and infrastructure to help bridge the gap between discovery and clinical application.3. Comparative and Functional Genomics - Leveraging our curated collection and integrated sequencing workflows, we collaborate on comparative genomics studies, functional characterisation of microbial genes and pathways, and exploration of host-microbe interactions.

For collaboration inquiries or data access requests, please contact our scientific team at admin@ahmb.com.au.

 

 

We will be opening officially to researchers in the beginning of 2026!

Contact Us

If you’re interested in accessing specific microbial species or have a project in mind, we’d love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get involved

Register to donate now

Sign up to our newsletter

To top