Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface
10:24

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface

Published on: July 4, 2018

11.9K

The human gut microbiota during the initial stages of life: insights from bifidobacteria

Francesca Turroni1, Christian Milani1, Marco Ventura1

  • 1Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|August 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The infant gut microbiota, particularly Bifidobacterium, plays a crucial role in infant health. This review explores how Bifidobacterium impacts infant well-being through molecular mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The infant gut microbiota is recognized as a key factor in host health and development.
  • Extensive research has characterized the bacterial composition and functional roles within the infant gut.
  • Bifidobacterium is a prominent and extensively studied genus in the infant gut microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the infant gut microbiota.
  • To focus on the molecular mechanisms through which Bifidobacterium influences host health.
  • To highlight the importance of Bifidobacterium in infant well-being.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current scientific studies.
  • Analysis of research on infant gut microbiome composition.
  • Investigation of molecular mechanisms of Bifidobacterium-host interactions.

Main Results:

  • Bifidobacterium is a prevalent and abundant taxon in the infant gut.
  • Bifidobacteria exert beneficial effects on host health and development.
  • Specific molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits are being elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • The infant gut microbiota is a critical determinant of infant health.
  • Bifidobacteria are integral to a healthy infant microbiome.
  • Understanding Bifidobacterium's molecular actions is key to leveraging its health benefits.

More Related Videos

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device10:51

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device

Published on: August 30, 2016

22.8K
Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.4K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

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...
84.4K
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

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.
774
Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes01:27

Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes

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...
328
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
533
What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

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.
73.2K