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Related Concept Videos

Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

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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...
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Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

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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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Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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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,...
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Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

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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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Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

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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...
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The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

119
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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The gut microbiome.

Giovanni C Actis1

  • 1Medical Center, Multidisciplinary Private Practice Office, Corso Einaudi 18a, 10129 Torino, Italy. actis_g@libero.it.

Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets
|June 24, 2014
PubMed
Summary

The human microbiome, comprising trillions of microbes, influences health and disease, including obesity and immune disorders. Lifestyle changes may disrupt this balance, potentially contributing to inflammatory conditions and requiring interventions like fecal transplants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Human Health

Background:

  • The human body hosts trillions of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, in barrier organs like the skin, gut, and airways.
  • These microbes play crucial roles in regulating bodily functions, influencing metabolism, nutrient production, and energy handling.
  • The human microbiome has evolved to modulate inflammatory responses through host sensing mechanisms and physical barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the intricate relationship between the human microbiome and host health.
  • To investigate the microbiome's role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases like type-2 diabetes and obesity.
  • To understand the microbiome's contribution to the rise of immune-related disorders and its potential link to lifestyle changes.

Main Methods:

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Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
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Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems

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Related Experiment Videos

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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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  • Review of existing scientific literature on the human microbiome, its functions, and its impact on health and disease.
  • Analysis of factors influencing microbiome composition, including delivery mode, antibiotic use, diet, and lifestyle.
  • Examination of proposed mechanisms linking microbiome dysbiosis to specific diseases, such as short-chain fatty acids in metabolic disorders and specific bacterial phyla in inflammatory conditions.

Main Results:

  • Microbiome composition is dynamic and influenced by factors such as birth mode, antibiotic exposure, diet, and lifestyle.
  • Short-chain fatty acids produced by the microbiome are implicated in the development of type-2 diabetes and obesity.
  • Dysbiosis, or imbalance, in the microbiome is increasingly linked to immune dysregulation, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The emergence of pathogenic bacteria and shifts in microbial communities may contribute to enteropathies and arthritic disorders.

Conclusions:

  • The human microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining host health and preventing disease.
  • Modern lifestyle and dietary changes may be contributing to microbiome dysbiosis, leading to immune imbalances and inflammatory conditions.
  • Understanding these complex interactions opens avenues for therapeutic interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation for conditions like IBD.