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Related Concept Videos

The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
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...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
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...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...

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Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
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The skin microbiome.

Elizabeth A Grice1, Julia A Segre

  • 1Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4442, USA.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|March 17, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The skin microbiome, a diverse community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in skin health and immunity. Understanding this complex ecosystem is key to developing new treatments for skin disorders.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • The skin, the largest human organ, hosts a vast array of microorganisms.
  • Skin microbiota composition varies based on location, host factors, and environment.
  • The skin immune system and microbiota influence each other, with the microbiota educating the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diversity and variability of the skin microbiome.
  • To emphasize the need for enhanced understanding of the skin microbiome.
  • To explore the potential for novel therapeutic approaches targeting the skin microbiome.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized molecular methods for microbial identification.
  • Analyzed the ecology of the skin surface.
  • Investigated the interplay between cutaneous immunity and microbial communities.

Main Results:

  • Revealed a highly diverse and variable resident skin bacterial population.
  • Demonstrated the dynamic interaction between the skin immune system and its resident microbiota.
  • Highlighted the influence of topographical, endogenous, and exogenous factors on skin colonization.

Conclusions:

  • An in-depth understanding of the skin microbiome is essential for advancing dermatological research.
  • Insights into the skin microbiome can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for skin conditions.
  • Future research should focus on the microbial involvement in skin disorders and the development of innovative treatments.