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Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

41
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...
41
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

2
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...
2
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,...
28
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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Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

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Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
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Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

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Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
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How to Manipulate the Microbiota: Prebiotics.

Petra Louis1, Harry J Flint2, Catherine Michel3

  • 1Microbiology Group, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK. p.louis@abdn.ac.uk.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 11, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Functional foods and prebiotics are key to optimizing health by influencing gut microbiota. Research continues to explore their specific actions and categorization for improved host well-being.

Keywords:
Appetite regulationCompetition for substratesDietary fibreFermentationHealth effectImmune functionsIntestinal barrierMicrobiota compositionMineral absorptionNon-digestible carbohydratesOligosaccharidesResistant starchShort-chain fatty acids

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Area of Science:

  • Human nutrition
  • Microbiology
  • Functional foods

Background:

  • Human nutrition research has evolved to focus on optimizing physiological and psychological functions through food components.
  • The concept of functional foods emerged to enhance welfare, health, and disease resistance.
  • The human gut microbiota plays a crucial role in health, influencing host physiology through the fermentation of undigested food residues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolution and impact of functional foods and prebiotics.
  • To understand the role of gut microbiota in host health.
  • To clarify the definition, nature, and physiological properties of prebiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on the evolution of nutrition science and functional foods.
  • Examination of research on gut microbiota and its interaction with food components.
  • Analysis of studies defining and characterizing prebiotics.

Main Results:

  • The field of nutrition has shifted towards optimizing functions beyond basic needs.
  • Functional foods and prebiotics are recognized for their potential health benefits.
  • Prebiotics, developed in the 1990s, aim to modulate gut microbiota composition and activity.

Conclusions:

  • Significant research has been conducted on prebiotics since their inception.
  • Further investigation is needed to fully understand prebiotic specificities and mechanisms of action.
  • The current categorization of prebiotics may require re-evaluation based on ongoing scientific discoveries.