Gut check: exploring tools, techniques, and future directions in microbiome research

Poultry microbial communities are now recognized as key contributors to host nutrition, immune function, disease resilience, and overall health and performance, driving growing interest in this research field. This symposium brought together leading experts to discuss the latest advancements in analytical tools and technologies for investigating the poultry microbiome. Presentations highlighted current progress in microbiome profiling techniques, next-generation sequencing technologies, advanced data analysis methods such as machine learning, and the integration of cutting-edge approaches in microbiome research. A roundtable discussion further engaged participants in identifying key challenges in the field, including method standardization, reproducibility, and data interpretation, while emphasizing emerging opportunities to translate microbiome insights into practical strategies for disease control, antibiotic alternatives, and sustainable poultry production. The knowledge shared in this symposium is highly relevant to poultry researchers and the industry, as they work to enhance bird health, welfare, and productivity.