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Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

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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.
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What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

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The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
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Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

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Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
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Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

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The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
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Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach01:25

Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach

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The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
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Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

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The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Microfluidic Co-culture of Epithelial Cells and Bacteria for Investigating Soluble Signal-mediated Interactions
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Microfluidic Co-culture of Epithelial Cells and Bacteria for Investigating Soluble Signal-mediated Interactions

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Host-microbe interaction in the gastrointestinal tract.

Aimée Parker1, Melissa A E Lawson1, Laura Vaux1

  • 1Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7UA, UK.

Environmental Microbiology
|September 12, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The gut microbiota is crucial for gastrointestinal development and health. Understanding host-microbe interactions and signaling pathways is key to maintaining gut homeostasis.

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Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
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Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface
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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Microbiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The gastrointestinal tract is a complex system with dynamic physiological processes.
  • The gut microbiota plays a vital role in host development and health from early life through adulthood.
  • Germ-free models demonstrate significant anatomical and functional changes in the gut epithelium, immune system, and enteric nervous system due to microbial colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of the gut microbiota in host development and physiological regulation.
  • To investigate the signaling pathways coordinating gut development and homeostasis.
  • To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying host-microbe symbiosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of anatomical and functional changes in germ-free mice.
  • Investigation of immune system development, epithelial renewal, barrier integrity, vascularization, and innervation.
  • Application of cell-based in-vitro experimental systems.
  • Utilizing mathematical modeling to study regulatory pathways.

Main Results:

  • Microbial colonization promotes competent mucosal immune systems (innate and acquired).
  • Gut microbiota influences epithelial renewal, barrier integrity, and mucosal vascularization and innervation.
  • Shared signaling pathways across physiological systems coordinate gut development and homeostasis.
  • In-vitro and modeling approaches can reveal regulatory pathways.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota is essential for proper development and maintenance of gastrointestinal homeostasis.
  • Understanding host-microbe signaling is critical for gut health.
  • Cell-based systems and mathematical modeling are valuable tools for studying gut physiology and microbiota interactions.