Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

79
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,...
79
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

57
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...
57
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

56
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...
56
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

49
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,...
49
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

41
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...
41
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

38
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...
38

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Gut microbe-derived short-chain fatty acids regulate alphavirus arthritis and macrophage activation in mice.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2026
Same author

Host metabolism can produce many indoles and phenols independently of the microbiome.

Nature metabolism·2026
Same author

Ecology and engineering to modify the bile acid output of a defined microbial community.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A single-strain dropout screen reveals mechanistic links between microbial ecology and metabolism.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

The bacterial march toward symbiosis: on-ramps and off-ramps.

Trends in microbiology·2026
Same author

A drug-microbiome-drug interaction impacts co-prescribed medications for Parkinson's disease.

Nature microbiology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
06:58

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.7K

HUMAN MICROBIOTA. Small molecules from the human microbiota.

Mohamed S Donia1, Michael A Fischbach2

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. donia@princeton.edu fischbach@fischbachgroup.org.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 25, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Human gut microbes produce numerous small molecules with biological activities like immune modulation. Future technologies will enhance the discovery and understanding of these crucial microbiome-derived compounds.

More Related Videos

Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection
09:49

Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection

Published on: November 18, 2022

2.9K
Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

15.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
06:58

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.7K
Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection
09:49

Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection

Published on: November 18, 2022

2.9K
Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

15.0K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Metabolomics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Genomics and microbiota-host interaction studies have spurred the discovery of small molecules from the human microbiome.
  • The human microbiome is a rich source of diverse small molecules with significant biological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on small molecules produced by the human microbiota.
  • To discuss future technologies for discovering these molecules.
  • To address challenges in identifying key molecules driving microbe-host and microbe-microbe interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on human microbiome-derived small molecules.
  • Analysis of current and emerging technologies for molecular discovery.
  • Discussion of the biological relevance and interaction-driving roles of these molecules.

Main Results:

  • Numerous small molecules from major metabolite classes have been identified in the human microbiome.
  • These molecules exhibit diverse biological activities, including immune modulation and antibiosis.
  • Key molecules influencing microbe-host and microbe-microbe interactions are being uncovered.

Conclusions:

  • The human microbiome is a vital source of bioactive small molecules.
  • Advancements in technology are crucial for future discoveries and understanding the roles of these molecules.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the specific functions and relevance of microbiome-derived compounds in host health and disease.