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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
11:22
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
30.0K
Recent Advances in Understanding the Structure and Function of the Human Microbiome
Walaa K Mousa1,2,3, Fadia Chehadeh2, Shannon Husband2
1College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University of Science and Technology, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|February 21, 2022
Summary
The human microbiome, trillions of symbiotic microbes, impacts health and disease. Research is advancing our understanding of its composition and role in conditions like cancer and dementia, paving the way for new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Health
- Genomics
Background:
- Trillions of microbes form symbiotic relationships within the human body.
- Microbiome composition varies by body site due to environmental and immunological factors.
- Most human microbiome taxa and species remain unidentified, hindering understanding of their health roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge of microbiome structure and influencing factors.
- To discuss associations between microbiome dysbiosis and various diseases.
- To explore opportunities for novel microbiome-based therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on microbiome research.
- Analysis of factors shaping microbial composition.
- Examination of links between dysbiosis and human diseases.
- Evaluation of therapeutic and diagnostic potential.
Main Results:
- Significant advances in genome sequencing enhance microbiome composition understanding.
- Microbiome dysbiosis is linked to a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer and dementia.
- The personalized nature of the microbiome and its complex host interactions present research challenges.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the human microbiome is crucial for appreciating its role in health and disease.
- Microbiome research offers potential for next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and challenges in microbiome science.
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