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Related Concept Videos

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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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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Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

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The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
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Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

3
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,...
3
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

2
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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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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Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface
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The healthy human microbiome.

Jason Lloyd-Price1,2, Galeb Abu-Ali1, Curtis Huttenhower3,4

  • 1Biostatistics Department, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Genome Medicine
|April 29, 2016
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human microbiome is highly variable, unlike human genetics. Research aims to define healthy microbiome features and ranges to understand its role in health and disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Genetics
  • Metagenomics

Background:

  • Human DNA shows minimal variation, contrasting sharply with the high variability observed in the human microbiome's metagenome.
  • A significant challenge in microbiome research is defining the "healthy microbiome" due to its inherent variability, with only a third of genes shared among healthy individuals.
  • Historical research, including the Human Microbiome Project, has sought to understand this diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current definitions of a "healthy microbiome."
  • To summarize the understanding of healthy microbial diversity ranges.
  • To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions in microbiome science.

Main Methods:

  • Review of population-scale studies on microbiome composition and function.
  • Analysis of factors influencing microbiome diversity, such as geography, diet, and lifestyle.
  • Synthesis of existing literature on healthy microbiome definitions and ranges.

Main Results:

  • Multiple definitions of a "healthy microbiome" have emerged.
  • Population studies have documented the ranges of taxonomic and functional diversity in healthy microbiomes.
  • Factors like geography, diet, and lifestyle are recognized drivers of microbiome variation.

Conclusions:

  • Characterizing the "healthy microbiome" is crucial for identifying disease-associated microbial patterns.
  • Gaps remain in understanding the molecular functions of the microbiome and developing ecological therapies.
  • Future research should focus on these gaps to advance microbiome-based health interventions.