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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
29:13
Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
Published on: May 28, 2007
An ecological and evolutionary perspective on human-microbe mutualism and disease
Les Dethlefsen1, Margaret McFall-Ngai, David A Relman
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Nature
|October 19, 2007
Summary
Human microbial communities are complex and co-evolved with us. Understanding ecological and evolutionary principles can guide strategies for maintaining human health and treating diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Human microbial communities are intricate ecosystems of microorganisms.
- These communities are shaped by host-microbe co-evolution, host factors (diet, genetics), and microbial interactions.
- The symbiotic relationship between humans and microbes is crucial for health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of human microbial communities.
- To identify how disruptions in host-microbe interactions contribute to disease.
- To propose novel health strategies based on ecological and evolutionary principles.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual review, integrating principles from ecology and evolutionary biology.
- It analyzes the factors influencing microbial community composition and stability.
- It examines the consequences of altered host-microbe relationships.
Main Results:
- Microbial community composition varies significantly between individuals due to migration restrictions and host-specific factors.
- Mutualistic interactions are selected for due to shared evolutionary history.
- Disruptions in this co-evolved relationship can lead to disease states.
Conclusions:
- Ecological and evolutionary perspectives offer valuable insights into human health.
- Understanding these principles can lead to new therapeutic strategies for restoring microbial balance and health.
- Targeting ecological and evolutionary dynamics may be key to managing diseases linked to the microbiome.
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