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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
10:51
Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
Published on: August 30, 2016
Host-bacterial mutualism in the human intestine
Fredrik Bäckhed1, Ruth E Ley, Justin L Sonnenburg
1Center for Genome Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 26, 2005
Summary
The human gut microbiota, a vast bacterial ecosystem, provides essential metabolic functions and coevolved with us, offering benefits like nutrient harvesting. Key microbes maintain the gut microbiome
Area of Science:
- Human biology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- The distal human intestine hosts a dense anaerobic bacterial population, crucial for host health.
- This complex gut microbiota, with its collective genomes (microbiome), offers evolved metabolic capabilities.
- Understanding the gut microbiome's coevolution and symbiotic relationship with humans is a growing field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the coevolutionary relationship between the human gut microbiota and its host.
- To elucidate the metabolic contributions of the gut microbiome to human physiology.
- To identify key microbial players that ensure the stability and adaptability of the gut ecosystem.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microbial community composition and diversity in the human gut.
- Genomic and metabolic profiling of the gut microbiome.
- Investigating host-microbe interactions and coevolutionary patterns.
Main Results:
- The gut microbiota provides essential genetic and metabolic functions, aiding in nutrient harvesting.
- Evidence suggests a coevolutionary path between humans and their gut microbes, resulting in mutual benefits.
- Specific keystone microorganisms play vital roles in maintaining the stability and functional resilience of the gut microbiome.
Conclusions:
- The human gut microbiome is an integral 'organ' providing essential functions.
- Coevolution has shaped a mutually beneficial relationship between the host and gut microbiota.
- Understanding keystone microbes is crucial for maintaining gut health and ecosystem stability.
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