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Related Concept Videos

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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Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

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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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The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

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Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
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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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The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

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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...
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High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health
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Microbiota and aging.

Stephan C Bischoff1

  • 1Institute of Clinical Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|November 13, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The gut microbiota changes with age, impacting elderly health and increasing disease risk. Interventions like probiotics and prebiotics may help reverse these aging-related alterations.

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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Last Updated: Mar 30, 2026

High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Aging is associated with significant alterations in the intestinal microbiota.
  • These microbial shifts contribute to 'inflamm-aging', a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation linked to age-related diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on age-related changes in the intestinal microbiota.
  • To explore the implications of these changes for health and disease in the elderly and centenarians.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intestinal microbiota in aging populations.
  • Analysis of age-associated microbial shifts and their metabolic consequences.

Main Results:

  • Age-related changes include an increase in proteolytic bacteria and a decrease in saccharolytic bacteria.
  • These microbial alterations are linked to sarcopenia, longevity, and increased susceptibility to diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.
  • Probiotics have shown efficacy in treating infections and enhancing immune responses in the elderly.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal microbiota composition changes significantly with age, influencing elderly morbidity and mortality.
  • Dietary interventions, including prebiotics and probiotics, alongside lifestyle modifications, show potential in mitigating or reversing these age-related microbial alterations.