What inspired the creation of a company focused entirely on microbiome science? How did the idea evolve from concept to a comprehensive diagnostic platform?
It all started with curiosity and noticing a gap. Back when I was into research, I saw that medical field paying a lot of attention to genes and organs, but barely anything towards the trillions of microbes that shape our health every single day. That gap pushed me to start Leucine Rich Bio. I wanted to connect what we know in science with what matters to people’s lives, using microbiome facts. We kicked things off as a research-driven company, but soon, we shifted toward real-world healthcare. That’s how BugSpeaks came to life turning advanced microbiome science into something practical, personal, and focused on keeping people healthy, not just treating illness.
How has the understanding of the human microbiome evolved in recent years, and what role do you see it playing in shaping preventive healthcare globally?
Ten years back, microbiome was hardly in anyone’s conscious. Now, it’s front and center in preventive health. Turns out, these microbes are very crucial. They talk to our brains, shape our immune system, and our moods. That kind of discovery flips the whole idea of health. Instead of just waiting to treat disease, people are thinking more about keeping things balanced from the start. All over the world, medicine’s moving from just reacting to problems to predicting them. Honestly, I see microbiome testing becoming as normal as a blood test soon. It’ll give people real info, early on, so they can take charge of their health.
Can you explain the philosophy behind integrating science, AI, and wellness into microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics?
Science gives us accurate details. AI speeds things up. Wellness? That’s where it all starts to matter. We believe data’s supposed to help you, not leave you feeling lost. So we mix genomic sequencing and AI, breaking down all that biological complexity into clear, practical steps that you can use. The wellness side of it, makes sure this isn’t just theory, it shows up in your food, your habits, even your mindset. In the end, it’s not about replacing your gut instinct with tech. It’s about giving your intuition a smarter nudge toward healthier, lasting choices.
How do microbiome tests work on the gut, skin, oral cavity, and vaginal area at a scientific level? What kind of data is generated, and how is it interpreted into actionable health insights?
Every part of your body has its own little world of microbes. With next-generation sequencing, we can see which bacteria are living in your gut, your skin, pretty much anywhere. The results show us not just what is there, but which microbes are thriving, which ones are struggling, and where things seem off balance. Take our new Skin Microbiome Test, for example. It looks at your skin’s bacteria and connects the dots to things like acne, dryness, or signs of aging. Then, we break down the results so they’re easy to understand, with real advice on diet, prebiotics, or products that can help bring your skin’s ecosystem back into balance. In the end, it’s about listening to what your microbes are telling you and doing something about it.
How does next-generation sequencing (NGS) and AI-based data analysis enhance the accuracy and predictive power of microbiome testing?
NGS reads billions of DNA fragments to figure out who’s in our microbiome and what they’re up to. Then AI steps in, sorting through all that info and matching it with global datasets. Together, they catch early changes in our microbes that can show up before metabolic or immune problems even start. Really, this moves us from treating issues after they happen to spotting them early, so we can jump in with personalised advice before things get serious, instead of just following a one size fits all plan.
Can microbiome testing detect early signs of metabolic or inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, obesity, or IBS, before clinical symptoms appear?
Definitely. Microbial imbalances usually show up way before any symptoms hit. Take low diversity or missing good bacteria, for instance, they can point to early inflammation or insulin resistance, even if you feel fine. Microbiome testing picks up on these early warning signs, so you and your doctor can step in before things get worse. It’s not here to take over regular diagnosis, but it’s great for catching problems early. That means you can adjust your diet or habits before things actually go south.
How does AI interpret microbiome data to assess risk for diseases like obesity, metabolic syndrome, or inflammation?
AI works kind of like a translator who’s super observant. It looks at genetic data from thousands of microbes, picks out patterns that actually mean something, and connects them to disease markers that doctors already recognise. Maybe it finds clusters of microbes tied to inflammation, or picks up on changes that mess with how your body handles fats. As our datasets grow, AI gets even better at reading skin microbiome profiles. That’s how we created our new Skin Microbiome Balancing Cream care that essentially fits your skin, not just someone else’s. With this kind of precision, prevention gets smarter and care finally feels personal.
What kind of personalised interventions, nutritional, probiotic, or lifestyle-based, are recommended after testing?
Each microbiome report points you toward a plan that suits you. For gut health, that might mean eating more fiber, adding prebiotic foods, or choosing certain probiotic strains. For your skin, our new Microbiome Balancing Cream gives you a simple way to support healthy bacteria on the surface, pairing well with any nutrition tips. The idea is to help your good microbes thrive in a way that feels natural. Everything we suggest is practical and backed by science, so making changes doesn’t feel like a giant leap, just a few real steps you can stick with.
How do you ensure that these reports remain easy to understand for both clinicians and consumers while retaining scientific accuracy?
We put a lot of work into making science simple but not watered down. Our reports use color-coded visuals, quick explanations, and straightforward recommendations instead of just dumping a bunch of data. Clinicians see all the detailed metrics they need, while consumers get clear, plain-language summaries. This two-layer approach keeps everything both credible and easy to use. Good science should make sense, not leave people scratching their heads. When someone understands what’s going on in their own body, they’re much more likely to do something about it.
Microbiome awareness is still in its infancy in India and many parts of Asia. How are you driving education and adoption among clinicians and the public?
It all begins with a conversation. We host workshops, team up with healthcare pros, and share real stories about how microbiome care changes lives. When we launched our skin microbiome test and cream, it really helped us reach more people and show how gut and skin health connect in everyday life. Lately, more clinicians and nutritionists are getting interested too and adding microbiome testing to their wellness programs. For us, education never stops. Every talk, every new idea, every person we help makes a difference.
What do you think are the major challenges in standardising microbiome testing for routine medical use?
The real challenge is how much things vary, both in people’s microbiomes and in the way, labs do their work. Your gut microbes shift depending on where you live, what you eat, even the time of year. So, setting standard reference ranges for everyone isn’t easy. On top of that, rules around microbiome diagnostics are still catching up in most countries. We need researchers, doctors, and policymakers to certainly work together if we want any kind of consistency. For now, all we can do is stick to strict science and stay open about how we run every test.
What breakthroughs in microbiome research excite you the most right now?
Right now, we are seeing microbiome shape everything, personalised nutrition, skincare etc. What really takes me is the connection between the gut and skin microbiome. When you restore that balance, you do not just see changes on the outside; you feel them on the inside, too. That is what drove us to launch our skin microbiome test and balancing cream. Healthcare is not about treating organs like they are on their own anymore. It is about seeing the body, a network of microbes working together. That is where things are headed.