ALT Why Standardization in Microbiome Signature Discovery Can Be Counterproductive (and why I disagree with everyone I’ve ever talked to about it). While the scientific instinct to standardize methodologies is often well-intentioned—intended to reduce noise and improve reproducibility—in the context of microbiome signatures, this approach may actually undermine the reliability and translational value of the data. Specifically, the push for methodological standardization in microbiome research carries significant risks due to three core issues: platform bias, intervention relevance, and false homogeneity. 1. Standardization Reinforces Platform Bias 2. Biological Diversity Is Not a Nuisance—It’s the Signal 3. The Tests Themselves Are Not Yet Diagnostic Conclusion: Embrace Methodological Pluralism with Caution Join the roundtable discussion here: https://microbiomeroundtable.com/question/is-standardization-in-microbiome-signature-discovery-a-bad-idea/