This page contains an overview of NC State’s efforts and of PreMiEr’s Social and Ethical Implications (SEI) research focus. Visit the full PreMiEr website to learn more.

About

PreMiEr will develop an integrated framework that advances microbiome technologies and enables the bioinformed design of smart and healthy built environments.

The Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) (Award # 2133504) led by Duke University in collaboration with NC State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC-Charlotte), as well as members of industry and other educational institutions.

PreMiEr is funded by a five-year, $26 million grant, renewable for a second five-year, $26 million term.

Vision

PreMiEr’s vision is to develop an integrated framework for enabling the development of high impact microbiome technologies that provide innovative solutions to key societal challenges at the interface of human health and the built environment. In particular, PreMiEr will advance microbiome technologies by developing diagnostic tools and engineering approaches that lead to the prevention of infectious agents’ colonization and the promotion of beneficial microorganisms in the built environment.

Scope

Researchers in PreMiEr will achieve their goals through cross-disciplinary efforts using the latest technologies in genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic technologies to study the microbial “dark matter” that colonizes the built environment, develop sensors and other technologies to monitor and modify those communities, and create sophisticated computer models to help predict the outcomes of changes to the built environment microbiome and drive beneficial health outcomes.

Impact

PreMiEr seeks to help identify not only what might make a built environment microbiome harmful to inhabitants, but also hopes to identify organisms, metabolites, or other factors that lead to positive health outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to create biologically safe indoor spaces for everyone. The findings of this center could ultimately lead to recommendations for building design, construction, or operation in order to promote the proliferation of healthy microorganisms in man-made structures.

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Video

Watch our video, produced by Duke Engineering and originally posted on YouTube, to learn more >

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Recommended Publications

 

SEI and Microbiomes Research

ArticleYearSignificanceKeywordsArticle image
Cummings, C. L., Landreville, K. D., & Kuzma, J. (2025). Public perceptions and support for introduced microbes to combat hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. PLOS ONE, 20(10), e0332578. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332578. PDF. Graphic2025Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are urgent health threats, and microbiome engineering offers a novel approach by introducing beneficial microbes to hospital environments. This NSF PreMiEr project-funded study provides the first nationally representative analysis of U.S. public attitudes toward such interventions, revealing that trust, emotional responses, and perceived benefits play a stronger role in support than demographics alone. By grounding the findings in the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework, the study offers guidance for developers, policymakers, and hospital leaders on how to responsibly advance microbiome-based infection control with transparent oversight and inclusive education. See post for more on PreMiEr.Microbiome engineering, Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Introduced microbes, Public perceptions, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Trust and engagement, Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr)Cum-Lan-Kuz_Perceptions of MEoBE for HAIs_PreMiEr_2025_full
Cummings, C. L., Landreville, K. D., & Kuzma, J. (2025). Natural vs. Genetically engineered microbiomes: Understanding public attitudes for indoor applications and pathways for future engagement. Frontiers in Genetics, 16, 1560601. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2025.1560601. PDF. Graphic2025This article, part of the NSF-funded PreMiEr project, examines how American attitudes differ toward natural versus genetically engineered microbiomes for indoor environments. Factors like trust in science, demographics, and perceived knowledge all affect willingness to adopt these emerging technologies. Its findings highlight how applying the principles of responsible research and innovation (RRI) can help align microbiome interventions with diverse public values.Microbiome Engineering, Genetic Engineering, Public Perceptions, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Built environmentCum-Lan-Kuz-Nat v Eng-PreMiEr-2025
Cummings C., Landreville K.D, and Kuzma J. (2024) Taking the temperature of the United States public regarding microbiome engineering. Front. Public Health. 12:1477377. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477377. PDF. Graphic2024This article, part of the NSF-funded PreMiEr project, offers the first comprehensive survey of U.S. public attitudes toward microbiome engineering in the built environment, revealing generational, political, and educational differences in perceptions of its benefits and risks. While younger generations and those with greater trust in science show more optimism, significant public uncertainty underscores the need for targeted engagement and ethical oversight. These findings provide critical insights to guide responsible innovation and foster informed public discourse in this emerging field.Microbiome engineering, Built environment, Survey, Risk, Public perceptionCum-Gri-Kuz-Taking temp MoBE-PreMiEr-2024
Hardwick, A., Cummings, C., Graves, J. and Kuzma, J. Can societal and ethical implications of precision microbiome engineering be applied to the built environment? A systematic review of the literature. Environ Syst Decis (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-024-09965-y. SharedIt Open-Access link: https://rdcu.be/dzxqa. PDF. Graphic2024This article, written by the Societal and Ethical Implications (SEI) team of the NSF Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) Engineering Research Center, is the first systematic review of the SEI literature on the microbiome. As research about the microbiome of the built environment (MoBE) grows, it will be needed to adapt the lessons taken from studying microbiomes in general and apply them to the built environment. These lessons will enable more ethical research of the built environment and the development of applications that better consider different societal views about MoBE engineering.Microbiome, Built environment, Societal and ethical implications, Systematic review, PreMiErCan societal and ethical implications of precision microbiome engineering be applied to the built environment? A systematic review of the literature
Mohorčich J, Reese J. Cell-cultured meat: Lessons from GMO adoption and resistance. Appetite. 2019 Dec 1;143:104408. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104408. PDF2019Featured article for May 10 PreMiEr SEI Journal Club will be a discussion of the article, "Cell-cultured meat: Lessons from GMO adoption and resistance," facilitated by Ivory Blakely, a research assistant at UNC Charlotte. 

Though PreMiEr's focus isn't on the food industry, the lessons derived from this exploration of biological engineering technologies have broader implications that resonate with our work.

Our discussion leader, while not an expert on this topic, brings a fresh perspective to the table, stimulating conversation that encourages learning and discovery for all participants. We are particularly keen on benefiting from the insights of experts like Dr. Kuzma, who can shed light on the complex dynamics surrounding genetically engineered food and how we might navigate potential challenges in our own engineering endeavors. Additionally, we may draw parallels from public opinion studies on water fluoridation.

If you're pressed for time, we recommend focusing on Section 4 of the article, which details results and recommendations. Remember, reading the article is optional - the discussion is the main event. 

Cell-cultured meat, GMO adoption, Technology adoption, Consumer activism, Supply chain pressure, Positive aspects vs. negative perceptionsFlavrSavr package
Brody, J.G., Dunagan, S.C., Morello-Frosch, R. et al. Reporting individual results for biomonitoring and environmental exposures: lessons learned from environmental communication case studies. Environ Health 13, 40 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-13-40. PDF2014Featured article for Feb. 15 PreMiEr SEI Journal Club facilitated by Joe Brown of UNC-CH on the "Ethics and responsibility in environmental exposure research". The session was well attended, with about 15 participants across PreMiEr institutions. The paper poses essential questions about – and offers practical guidance on – our responsibilities to communities and people participating in environmental exposure studies. Given our plans for conducting studies of microbiomes and specific health-relevant microbes in the spaces where people live, work, and play, the paper sparked a wide-ranging discussion about the responsible and ethical conduct of research and the transparency of that research to stakeholders. Discussants raised points about needing to involve communities in the conduct of research from the beginning (e.g., Community-Based Participatory Research), including about how results of research will be communicated back, by whom, and to whom. Credibility of the scientists and trust with community members are key: we note that working within and supporting existing networks of trusted individuals – rather than as outsiders, lacking strong partnerships – may be helpful, recognizing our limits in this essential work. We can and should work with our IRBs on responsible and ethical communication, and we should allocate dedicated time to this, including via engaging with scholars with deep expertise on these topics. Building this expertise within our teams will take time, including involving additional investigators. We acknowledge that many of the things we measure have unclear health relevance, with microbes detected via molecular methods exhibiting key differences from, say, toxic metals in drinking water. We further discussed how it is unlikely that there will be a one-size-fits-all approach here: all communities are different, and we discussed in particular how working in the Bolivia test bed may be very different from communities in the United States. Bioethics; Biomonitoring; Community-based participatory research; Exposure assessment; Health literacy Informed consent; Research ethics; Risk communicationBrody-2014-figure1
Hawkins, A. K., & O’Doherty, K. C. (2011). “Who owns your poop?”: Insights regarding the intersection of human microbiome research and the ELSI aspects of biobanking and related studies. BMC Medical Genomics, 4, 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1755-8794-4-72 PDF2011This article provides an overview of the potential ethical, social, and legal issues (ELSI) that come with the collection and study of a person’s microbiome. The development of and use of biobanks for microbiome research leads to four major categories of ELSI: privacy, consent, ownership, and return of research results. The authors provide six recommendations for managing ELSI in human microbiome research:
  1. Be mindful of and prevent novel or unanticipated discrimination.
  2. Be sensitive to socio-cultural and economic contexts among participants.
  3. Be prepared in advance to either withhold or disseminate information.
  4. Human microbiome data should be treated with the same safeguards as human genetic data.
  5. Raise awareness among researchers about the different ELSI associated with human microbiome research.
  6. Reconsider and give attention to who owns human waste.
This article is a great start for considering the rights and concerns of participants involved in human microbiome research.		Privacy, Consent, Biodata ownership, Governance, Return of resultsHawkins2011 article image

NC State PreMiEr Faculty

With backgrounds ranging from biomolecular engineering to fungal microbiomes, researchers from five NC State colleges are contributing their expertise to the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering.

 

PhotoFaculty
photo of Jennifer Kuzma

Jennifer Kuzma

Dr. Kuzma is the Goodnight-NCGSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Co-Director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center, and a member of the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Program
Yi-Hui_Zhou_NCSU

Yi-Hui Zhou

Dr. Zhou is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences, Associate Member of the Department of Statistics, Associate Editor of Biostatistics, Associate Director of Outreach with the Bioinformatics Research Center, and a member of the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Program
Ben_Callahan_NCSU

Benjamin Callahan

Dr. Callahan is an Assistant Professor of Microbiomes and Complex Microbial Communities in the Population Health and Pathobiology department of the College of Veterinary Medicine, a member of the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Program, and is also affiliated with the Bioinformatics Research Center
Nathan_Crook_NCSU

Nathan Crook

Dr. Crook is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Engineering, PI of the Crook Lab
Kevin_Garcia_NCSU

Kevin Garcia

Dr. Garcia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and PI of the Garcia Lab

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Social & Ethical Implications Team

PreMiEr’s third research core, focused on the social and ethical implications (SEI) of engineered microbiomes,  evokes a range of issues at the intersection of health and environmental risk, medical ethics, research ethics, environmental release of genetically modified organisms, public trust and perceptions, privacy and regulation, and responsible governance. Woven into all of PreMiEr’s research activities, this provides a unique opportunity to engage researchers, engineers, stakeholders, and publics in emerging conversations about engineered microbiomes in built environments. It will also enable novel and ground-breaking scholarly examination of the various SEI aspects of PreMiEr’s research activities.

 

SEI Journal Club

[tribe_events_list category=”premier”]

PhotoFaculty
photo of Jennifer Kuzma

Jennifer Kuzma | NC State

Dr. Kuzma is the Goodnight-NCGSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Co-Director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center, and a member of the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Program.
Joe Graves

Joseph L. Graves, Jr. | NC A&T

Dr. Graves is a Professor of Biological Science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Joe Brown

Joe Brown | UNC-CH

Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Carter Clinton

Clinton Carter | NC State

Dr. Carteris an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at NC State University
Kristen Landreville

Kristen Landreville | NC State

Dr. Landreville is a Senior Research Scholar at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center at NC State and leads social science and public engagement research for the SEI Core.
Chris Cummings

Christopher L. Cummings | NC State

Dr. Cummings serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center at NC State and is the Founding Director of Decision Analytica, LLC.
Photo of Andrew Hardwick, Public Administration, Advisor - Jennifer Kuzma

Arden Hecate | NC State

Ardej is a PhD student in Public Administration, a Research Assistant at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center at NC State and a Fellow in Cohort 2 of the AgBioFEWS graduate training program.

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Responsible Research and Innovation

An interactive process by which societal actors and innovators become mutually responsive to each other with a view on the (ethical) acceptability, sustainability and societal desirability of the innovation process and its marketable products. (von Schomberg 2011)

Venn Diagram of PreMiEr Goals for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) 1. Ensure research and innovation (R&I) addresses societal challenges 2. Open R&I to all actors and at all levels 3. Align R&I with societal values, needs and expectations

Goals for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)

SEI Model and Principles: Reflexivity, Anticipation, Inclusion, Responsivity

SEI Model and Principles

SEI Action Plan & Projects

1) Collaborative Systems Mapping and Modeling—Convergence of Disciplines Across Team (Y1-Y5)

  • Societal aspects, market barriers, microbial risk analysis, governance
  • Integrated with Team Meetings of Innovation Accelerator, Test-Beds, and Innovation Ecosystem
  • Part of Student Training and Short Courses; REU (research experience for undergraduates) Projects; and SEI Annual Workshops
  • Provides Mechanisms and Framework for Iterative Feedback from Stakeholder and Public Engagement Projects to Research Thrusts, Cores and Innovation Accelerator

SEI Action Plan 1

2) Public Engagement 

  • Draw on engagement infrastructure and experience of Core C partner centers
  • Deliberative workshops on SEI and educational demonstrations at community labs across U.S. (Y3-5)
  • Public dialogues and interviews of participants in and near Test Beds (Y2-5)
  • Specific inclusion of varied perspectives from impacted groups
  • Targeted inclusion of research participants (e.g. those with wearable devices)
  • Feedback to research and engineering team via Innovation Accelerator, Test Beds, Innovation Ecosystem, Research Thrusts, and other team meetings

Partner logos - UNC Center for Bioethics, GES Center NC State, Center for Genomics and Society, Genspace, biocurious, baltimore under ground science space, BioBlaze, The Community Lab (Biodidact Los Alamos, NM)

3) SEI Research and Deliberative Workshops

  • Engage SEI experts around U.S. and world (Y1-5)
  • National SEI Conferences (Y3 & 5)
    • Engage junior SEI scholars, natural scientists and engineers
    • Provide a network of professional development in RRI
    • Special edition of journals and policy forum outputs
  • SEI Expert Workshops (Y2 & 4)
    • Bring in SEI expertise in addition to Core C leadership
    • Additional risk analysts, legal scholars, economists, etc.
  • Focused Risk Assessment Track in each workshop
  • Become “premier” place for SEI scholarship and practice for microbiome engineering in built environments
  • Be a national policy voice for built environments and microbiome engineering

Thematic analysis, IAD framework, and System Dynamics

4) Assessing Public and Stakeholder Attitudes

  • Annual quantitative surveys with nationally representative group
  • In-depth interviews with stakeholders on innovation ecosystem, market forces, and regulation & governance
  • In-depth interviews with people in test bed areas on hopes, concerns, privacy and informed consent
  • Focus groups and deliberative events at community labs
  • Feedback to research team and industry stakeholders in Innovation Accelerator, Test Beds, Research Thrusts and Innovation Ecosystem Core

 

Key Outcome

Enhance the success of microbiome technology within society and its integration in society in responsible ways.

Core C: SEI, encompasses all of PreMiEr's research cores, data analytics and test beds, and research thrusts
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Partners

DukeNCStateNCATUNC-CHUNCCharlotteNSF
Duke UniversityNC State UniversityNC A&TUNC Chapel HillUNC CharlotteNSF

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