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

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

9
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...
9
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
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

1
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...
1
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

1
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,...
1
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

1.9K
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
1.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles enable cisplatin and cetuximab combined therapy against triple-negative breast cancer.

Journal of nanobiotechnology·2026
Same author

Impacts of an antioxidant-rich diet and lifestyle factors on gut microbiota diversity and brain health: An exploratory analysis from the NutBrain study.

Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2026
Same author

The Effects of a Modified Mediterranean Diet on Gut Microbiota and Chemotherapy Side Effects in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Undergoing First-Line Chemotherapy With or Without Either Antiepidermal Growth Factor Receptor or Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agent: Protocol for a Randomized Pilot Study in Italy.

JMIR research protocols·2025
Same author

Exposome, oxidative stress and inflammation in persons with multiple sclerosis: the EXPOSITION study protocol.

Frontiers in public health·2025
Same author

Linking antibiotic resistance genes in the vaginal microbiota to health-related behaviors and antibiotic awareness in reproductive-age women: a cross-sectional study.

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology·2025
Same author

Air pollution, nasal microbiota, and bronchiolitis: understanding their interplay through a multilevel approach.

Environmental research·2025
Same journal

Hunting ecology predicts eye arrangements in the modular visual system of spiders.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Sub-second fluctuations between top-down and bottom-up modes distinguish diverse human brain states.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Queen bees offload pesticide burden to eggs when social buffering is overwhelmed.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Pitch selectivity in ferret auditory cortex.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

A cell size-dependent competition between geometry and polarity governs nuclear and spindle positioning in early embryos.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Trophic cascades drive sustainability in the agricultural heritage rice-fish coculture system.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health
11:40

High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health

Published on: April 28, 2022

3.4K

Gut Microbiota and Extreme Longevity.

Elena Biagi1, Claudio Franceschi2, Simone Rampelli1

  • 1Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.

Current Biology : CB
|May 18, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The gut microbiome changes with age, but unique compositions in semi-supercentenarians may promote health. This study tracks the human microbiota

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria
06:58

Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria

Published on: July 28, 2023

3.2K
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

31.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026

High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health
11:40

High-Throughput Screening of Microbial Isolates with Impact on Caenorhabditis elegans Health

Published on: April 28, 2022

3.4K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria
06:58

Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria

Published on: July 28, 2023

3.2K
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

31.5K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gerontology
  • Human Microbiome Research

Background:

  • The gut microbiome influences metabolism and immunity, impacting age-related diseases.
  • Host-microbe homeostasis is crucial for counteracting inflammaging and maintaining cognitive and bone health.
  • Understanding the gut microbiota's role in longevity can reveal mechanisms of healthy aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the phylogenetic microbiota of semi-supercentenarians (105-109 years old) compared to adults, the elderly, and centenarians.
  • To reconstruct the longest available human microbiota trajectory across the lifespan.
  • To identify gut microbial signatures associated with extreme longevity and healthy aging.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of gut microbiota composition.
  • Comparison of microbial communities across different age groups, including extreme age.
  • Network analysis of bacterial co-occurrence patterns.

Main Results:

  • A core microbiota of symbiotic bacteria (Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae) decreases in abundance with age.
  • Aging shows an increase in subdominant species and altered co-occurrence networks.
  • Semi-supercentenarians exhibit unique microbial profiles, including enriched health-associated taxa like Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium, potentially supporting health.

Conclusions:

  • The human gut microbiota undergoes significant changes throughout aging, with distinct patterns in extreme longevity.
  • Specific microbial shifts in semi-supercentenarians, including the presence of beneficial bacteria, may contribute to health maintenance.
  • This research provides novel insights into the gut microbiome's role in exceptional human lifespan.