Explore the fascinating
the gut microbiome
With the novel Mission: Microbiome – Metchnikoff’s Legacy
With Mission: Microbiome – Metchnikoff’s Legacy, Patrick Veiga — Research Director and gut microbiome expert — invites you into a novel where science and suspense intertwine to reveal the fascinating world of the billions of bacteria that inhabit our intestines — true allies for our health.
Through the gripping journey of Rafael Martins, discover how a scientific revolution, sparked over a century ago, has reshaped our understanding of food and medicine. From the first probiotics to the yogurts that took over the world, and the promise of medical innovations that could transform tomorrow’s healthcare, this scientific thriller uncovers the secrets of a field in full bloom: the gut microbiome.
The story
Rafael Martins, a disgraced researcher and gut microbiome specialist, is fighting on two fronts: to save his wife Clara, struck by a mysterious intestinal infection, and to restore the honor of his late friend Andrew Smith — a brilliant scientist who died under troubling circumstances. Before his death, Andrew had discovered a hidden gene in the gut microbiome of Americans — a key element that could help explain the obesity epidemic sweeping the United States. With the help of Mary, a passionate and determined young scientist, Rafael embarks on a gripping investigation. Between science, love, betrayal, and buried secrets, he dives into the hidden side of scientific research — in the heart of the fascinating city of Boston.
Patrick Veiga brilliantly draws us into the world of scientific research on the gut microbiome. The choice of a novel as the medium is both original and refreshing.
— Excerpt from the book’s foreword —
Joël Doré, Research Director
Why write a novel that blends suspense and microbiome science?
“Writing a novel as a scientist is far from obvious. In my world, the rules are clear: publish scientific papers, attend conferences, or write technical books for informed audiences. But a novel is different. It means stepping away from academic formats, exposing yourself to different expectations — and most of all, taking the risk of being misunderstood. Still, I chose to take that risk.
Why? Because science is full of extraordinary discoveries that too often remain unknown to the general public. My goal was simple: to build a bridge between the scientific world and everyday life. The novel felt like the perfect medium — blending knowledge and storytelling, sparking curiosity, and maybe even reaching those who never thought they’d care about these topics.”
— Patrick Veiga
To share my passion for the gut microbiome with the widest possible audience — by drawing readers into a story that follows the codes of a scientific thriller.
Patrick Veiga, Research Director
Each chapter reveals a surprising fact about the gut microbiome. Here are a few…
40 trillion
That’s the number of bacteria living in your gut.
50%
You are made up of 50% human cells and 50% bacteria.
1906
That’s the year probiotics first appeared in pharmacies.
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