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Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
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...
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...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
08:38

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

Published on: September 10, 2016

Defining microbiota for developing new probiotics.

Maria Carmen Collado1, Christine Bäuerl, Gaspar Pérez-Martínez

  • 1Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Science, Spanish National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Department of Biotechnology, Unit of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics, Paterna, Valencia, Spain.

Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease
|August 31, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Probiotics, live bacteria with health benefits, require strain-specific assessment. Understanding how probiotics interact with the human microbiome can guide future dietary interventions for improved health.

Keywords:
diethealthmicrobiotaprobiotic

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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Health
  • Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

  • The human body hosts diverse microbial communities crucial for health.
  • Probiotics are live microorganisms with demonstrated health benefits, requiring individual strain evaluation.
  • Understanding probiotic mechanisms is key for dietary management and disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of human microbiota in health.
  • To understand the mechanisms of probiotic action on the gut microbiome.
  • To inform the rational design of future dietary interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing high-throughput sequencing for metagenomic analysis of the human microbiome.
  • Characterizing bacterial taxa and functional features associated with health and disease states.
  • Investigating the influence of probiotics on microbial communities.

Main Results:

  • Metagenomic approaches are generating comprehensive inventories of the human microbiome.
  • Specific bacterial taxons and functions are being linked to health and disease.
  • Insights into how probiotics modulate the microbiome are emerging.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic efficacy is strain-specific and requires case-by-case assessment.
  • Detailed microbiome characterization is foundational for effective probiotic use.
  • Future research will enable precision nutrition through microbiota modulation.