2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Enhance communication and interaction between the ARS/BHNRC and the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reseach communities to facilitate research on probiotics in human subjects, and to integrate results from that research into an improved understanding of the mechanism of action of probiotics and their effects on human health. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Each Agency has existing programs and resources for facilitating reearch and technology development. Research facilitated by this MOU will be complementary to studies supported by the ARS/BHNRC and NIH/NCCAM at the agencies' intramural and extramural laboratories. 3.Progress Report The ARS technology for detection of specific strains of probiotics fed to humans using single copy gene expression has been transferred to two study groups working on human health in Boston and Washington, DC. A more expanded analysis that includes detection of whole blood responses by deep sequencing analysis has been proposed for a component of one of the study groups and is pending results of external review. Activities are monitored by ARS scientists through periodic meetings, email, and conference calls.