Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
Published on: February 15, 2019
The relationship between gut microbiota and weight gain in humans
Emmanouil Angelakis1, Fabrice Armougom, Matthieu Million
1Unité des Rickettsies, URMITE -CNRS UMR 6236 IRD 198, IFR 48, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France. angelotasmanos@msn.com
Abstract:
The human gut microbiota is a metabolic organ that is determined by a dynamic process of selection and competition. Age, dietary habits and geographical origin of people have an important impact on the intestinal microbiota. The role of the microbiota is still largely unknown, but the bacteria of the gut flora do contribute enzymes that are absent in humans and play an essential role in the catabolism of dietary fibers. Germ-free mice provide a complementary approach for characterizing the properties of the human gut microbiota. Recently, microbial changes in the human gut were proposed to be one of the possible causes of obesity. This review summarizes the latest research on the association between microbial ecology and host weight.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Development of Human Microbiota
Gut-Brain Axis
The Oral Microbiota
Functions of the Gut Microbiota
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...

