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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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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,...
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Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

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The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
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Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

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The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
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Engineering mucus to study and influence the microbiome.

Caroline Werlang1, Gerardo Cárcarmo-Oyarce1,2, Katharina Ribbeck1,2

  • 1Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.

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This summary is machine-generated.

Mucus, a key hydrogel for the human microbiome, significantly alters microbial behavior and phenotypes in vitro. Understanding mucus and mucins is crucial for studying diseases and developing new cell culture models.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Mucus is a complex 3D hydrogel housing the human microbiome.
  • Mucus influences microbial differentiation, behavior, and spatial distribution.
  • Mucus dysregulation is linked to various diseases, highlighting its importance in health and illness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of mucus on the microbiome.
  • To examine mucin structure, glycosylation, and glycan function.
  • To discuss engineering approaches for synthetic mucins and mucin mimetics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on mucus, microbiome interactions, and mucin biology.
  • Analysis of mucin structure and the role of glycosylation.
  • Exploration of synthetic mucin engineering and mucin-mimetic hydrogel design.

Main Results:

  • Microorganisms cultured in mucus display distinct phenotypes compared to standard media.
  • Glycans play a critical role in mucin function and interaction with the microbiome.
  • Engineering strategies for synthetic mucins and mucin mimetics are advancing.

Conclusions:

  • Mucus is essential for in vitro studies of microbial communities.
  • Synthetic mucins and mucin mimetics offer novel tools for research and therapeutic applications.
  • Further research into mucin engineering can lead to improved 3D cell culture and microbiome modulation.