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Related Concept Videos

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...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
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 Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Obesity and the human microbiome.

Ruth E Ley1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. rel222@cornell.edu

Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|November 11, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Obesity is linked to changes in gut bacteria. Restoring a healthy gut microbiome may help manage obesity and improve metabolic health.

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Area of Science:

  • Microbial ecology
  • Human metabolism
  • Obesity research

Background:

  • Obesity prevalence has rapidly increased globally.
  • Gut microbial composition shifts are observed in obesity.
  • Gut bacteria play a role in host adiposity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review current research on gut microbiota and obesity.
  • Explore mechanisms linking gut microbes to host metabolism.
  • Summarize findings on microbial ecology and adiposity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on gut microbiota and obesity.
  • Analysis of research in human and animal models.
  • Synthesis of data on microbial alterations and weight changes.

Main Results:

  • Excess body fat alters gastrointestinal microbiota composition.
  • Gut microbiota changes are observed during weight loss.
  • Microbiota impacts insulin resistance, inflammation, and adiposity.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is associated with large-scale gut microbiota alterations.
  • Gut microbes influence host metabolism through signaling pathways.
  • Restoring gut microbiota may help manage obesity and weight.