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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...
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 Microbial Ecology01:28

Introduction to Microbial Ecology

Microbial ecology examines the complex web of interactions and diversity among microorganisms within various ecosystems. This field seeks to understand how microbial populations adapt to and influence their environments and how these interactions shape broader ecological processes. Microbes are integral to ecosystem function, participating in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the maintenance of environmental homeostasis.An ecosystem represents a dynamic interaction between living organisms...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
05:41

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

Microbiota-targeted therapies: an ecological perspective.

Katherine P Lemon1, Gary C Armitage, David A Relman

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. klemon@forsyth.org

Science Translational Medicine
|June 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Disease is linked to disruptions in host-microbiota interactions. New therapies targeting the microbiota require understanding microbial ecology and functional assessment for effective treatment outcomes.

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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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
05:41

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

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

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The link between disease and disruptions in host-microbiota homeostatic interactions is well-established.
  • Therapies targeting the microbiota are increasingly important for drug developers and clinicians.
  • Understanding microbial ecology is crucial for predicting treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the evolving landscape of microbiota-targeted therapies.
  • To emphasize the need for novel diagnostic tools to assess treatment efficacy.
  • To discuss the future development of probiotics and narrow-spectrum antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current microbiota-targeted therapies, including antibacterial conjugate vaccines and fecal transplantation.
  • Discussion of unintended consequences of perturbing microbial networks, such as secondary infections from antibiotics.
  • Exploration of insights from microbial ecology for probiotic development.

Main Results:

  • Microbiota-targeted therapies range from strain-specific elimination to whole-community replacement.
  • Antibiotic use can lead to unintended consequences, underscoring the need for narrow-spectrum agents and diagnostics.
  • Probiotic development requires rigorous clinical testing and may involve microbial consortia.

Conclusions:

  • Efficacy of microbiota-targeted therapies necessitates assessment of community function, not just composition.
  • New diagnostic tools are needed to measure the temporal response of microbial communities to interventions.
  • Future therapeutic strategies will likely involve a deeper understanding of microbial ecology and function.