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Published on: October 8, 2021
Gut microbes: from bugs to drugs.
1Department of Medicine and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland. F. Shanahan@ucc.ie
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 14, 2010
Summary
The mammalian genome requires environmental input, including microbial signals, for proper organ development. Exploring the gut microbiota offers a novel "bugs to drugs" approach for discovering new therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mammalian development relies on both genomic information and environmental cues.
- The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development and maturation of the digestive and immune systems.
- Specific molecular signals mediating host-microbe interactions are increasingly being identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the necessity of environmental information, particularly from the microbiota, for mammalian development.
- To propose the gut ecosystem as a source for novel drug discovery.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of microbial signals and interactions.
Main Methods:
- Comparative studies of germ-free and conventionally colonized animals.
- Molecular definition of microbial signaling molecules.
- Analysis of microbe-microbe, host-microbe, and host-microbe-dietary interactions.
Main Results:
- The gut microbiota significantly influences the development of key organ systems.
- Molecular insights into host-microbe signaling are emerging.
- Interactions within the gut ecosystem offer potential for therapeutic exploitation.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota is an essential source of regulatory information for mammalian development.
- A
- bugs to drugs
- paradigm is feasible for discovering novel therapeutics.
- Future drug discovery in gastroenterology will likely leverage insights from the gut lumen and its microbial inhabitants.
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