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Related Concept Videos

The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy01:20

Applications of Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Tracking human migration patterns through the oral bacterial flora.

P W Caufield1

  • 1Department of Biology, College of Dentistry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA. pwc2@nyu.edu

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|February 18, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The human oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans evolved alongside Homo sapiens during migrations. Its genetic clusters mirror human population movements, providing insights into ancient human journeys and bacterial evolution.

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Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
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Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Published on: October 20, 2011

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
09:44

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Published on: October 20, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Evolution
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Indigenous bacterial biota co-evolved with Homo sapiens during global migrations.
  • Accumulated DNA mutations in bacteria can reveal their evolutionary history and phylogenies.
  • Streptococcus mutans is a key indigenous bacterium found in the human oral cavity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history of Streptococcus mutans.
  • To determine if S. mutans' evolution correlates with human migration patterns.
  • To utilize genetic markers to trace the phylogenetic relationships of S. mutans.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of multiple genetic markers in Streptococcus mutans samples.
  • Clustering of S. mutans genetic traits based on geographic and racial groups.
  • Comparison of bacterial evolutionary lineages with anthropological migration data.

Main Results:

  • Four distinct genetic clusters of S. mutans were identified.
  • These clusters corresponded to specific human geographic or racial groups: two African clades, one Asian clade, and one Caucasian clade.
  • The evolutionary lineage of S. mutans aligned with established anthropological evidence of human migration routes.

Conclusions:

  • The evolutionary trajectory of Streptococcus mutans reflects the migration history of modern humans.
  • S. mutans serves as a valuable marker for understanding human population movements and co-evolution.
  • This study highlights the intricate relationship between human hosts and their indigenous microbiota over millennia.