Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

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...

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

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,...

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

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...

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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,...

Development of Human Microbiota

Development of Human Microbiota

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...

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

[The three lives of Louis Pasteur].

La Revue du praticien·2023

Same author

Life Course Education, Health, and Ageing Well: A Short Inter-Academic Report.

Gerontology·2023

Same author

Pasteur at the Academy of Medicine: from hygiene to germ theory.

Comptes rendus biologies·2023

Same author

Enhancing research integration to improve One Health actions: learning lessons from neglected tropical diseases experiences.

BMJ global health·2022

Same author

Memory CD4+ T-Cell Lymphocytic Angiopathy in Fatal Forms of COVID-19 Pulmonary Infection.

Frontiers in immunology·2022

Same author

Dichotomy in Neutralizing Antibody Induction to Peptide-Conjugated Vaccine in Squalene Emulsion Contrast With Aluminum Hydroxide Formulation.

Frontiers in immunology·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

[Intestinal microbiota].

Patrice Debré, Jean-Yves Le Gall,

Bulletin De L'Academie Nationale De Medecine

|July 1, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The human body hosts a vast microbial ecosystem, the microbiota, crucial for immunity and digestion. Alterations in this gut flora are linked to diseases and drug responses, leading to therapeutic interventions like probiotics.

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Human Physiology
Immunology

Context:

The human body harbors a complex microbial ecosystem (microbiota) outnumbering human cells, with significant genetic diversity (microbiome).
The gut microbiota, weighing approximately one kilogram, plays a vital role in immune system maturation and physiological functions.
Factors like delivery route, environment, diet, and medical treatments influence gut microbial colonization and composition.

Purpose:

To highlight the critical roles of the intestinal microbiota in human health.
To underscore the link between microbiota dysbiosis and various diseases.
To introduce pharmacobiotics as a therapeutic strategy to modulate the gut microbiota.

Summary:

The intestinal microbiota is essential for digestion, vitamin synthesis, and immune system development.
Changes in microbiota composition are associated with diseases such as obesity, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disorders.
Pharmacobiotics, including prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal transplants, aim to restore microbial balance for therapeutic benefit.

Impact:

Understanding the gut microbiota is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases.
The microbiota influences drug metabolism and can serve as a predictive marker for chemotherapy response.
Targeting the gut microbiota offers promising avenues for personalized medicine and disease prevention.