Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
05:27
An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
Published on: June 30, 2021
4.7K
Host specificity of the gut microbiome.
Elizabeth K Mallott1,2, Katherine R Amato3
1Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|May 28, 2021
Summary
Phylosymbiosis, microbiome composition predicted by host phylogeny, is less common in diverse microbial communities. Mammals, however, often show phylosymbiosis due to unique traits ensuring deterministic microbial assembly.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Host-microorganism interactions are shaped by eco-evolutionary processes.
- Phylosymbiosis offers a framework to study microbiome assembly.
- Understanding phylosymbiosis prevalence reveals ecological drivers of microbial communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of phylosymbiosis across the animal kingdom.
- To explore microbial community assembly processes and host traits influencing phylosymbiosis.
- To provide a new research framework for host-microbe interactions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on phylosymbiosis prevalence.
- Analysis of factors influencing microbiome composition.
- Hypothesis generation based on observed patterns.
Main Results:
- Phylosymbiosis is less prevalent in taxonomically rich microbiomes, suggesting increased stochasticity.
- Mammals frequently exhibit phylosymbiosis despite hosting diverse microbiomes.
- Specific mammalian traits may promote deterministic microbial community assembly.
Conclusions:
- Microbiome diversity influences the occurrence of phylosymbiosis.
- Mammalian traits like viviparity, lactation, and placental co-evolution are key to their phylosymbiotic patterns.
- Further research into these traits can elucidate host-microbe dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
84.7K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
84.7K
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
818
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.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
818
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
73.4K
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.
73.4K
01:27Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes
384
Firmicutes is a diverse phylum of Gram-positive bacteria characterized by a low GC content in their genomes. This phylum includes organisms with monoderm or diderm cell envelopes, highlighting a complex evolutionary history. Firmicutes comprises several major orders, including Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Bacillales, which exhibit remarkable diversity in their morphology, metabolism, and ecological roles.The order Lactobacillales includes lactic acid bacteria, which are fermentative...
384
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
13.0K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.0K