The complex interplay between inflammation, the microbiota and colorectal cancer
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Updated: May 12, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Janelle C Arthur1, Christian Jobin
1Department of Medicine, Pharmacology and Immunology-Microbiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Abstract:
The microbiome has captured the attention of scientists from multiple research fields including ecology, immunology, microbiology and cancer biology. The microbial community living in the gastrointestinal tract is the most abundant and diverse niche of the human body and it is not surprising that microbiome research has predominantly focused upon this organ system. In this addendum, we summarize the latest developments in microbiome research on inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. In addition, we highlight our recent findings that chronic intestinal inflammation modulates microbial community composition and the development of colorectal cancer. Our findings redefine the paradigm of inflammation-associated cancer by illuminating the key role of bacteria in development of colorectal cancer.
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