Abstract: The development of new technologies has resulted in an explosion of studies of the gut microbiomeMicrobiome" . These studies have revealed a highly complex microbial community, forming an intricate ecosystem with the host and affecting many aspects of host healthHealth" . In particular dysbiosis, an imbalance within the microbiomeMicrobiome" , is associated with a wide variety of diseasesDisease" , and with ageing. Studies in laboratory animals show these links are not just associative, and that the microbiomeMicrobiome" can directly cause health and diseaseDisease" states in the host. These findings beg the question of what “healthy” microbiomesMicrobiome" look like, and how we can use the microbiomeMicrobiome" to promote human healthHuman health" . Efforts to understand healthy microbiomesMicrobiome have revealed that microbiomeMicrobiome" composition varies widely between healthy individuals, and that there is no such thing as a single healthy microbiomeMicrobiome" . Current research shows that qualities of the microbiomeMicrobiome" ecosystem, such as diversity, robustness, resilienceResilience" and ability to resist perturbations, are important for host healthHealth" . Identification of the molecular basis of these qualities, as well as the genetic and biochemical functionsFunction" of the microbiomeMicrobiome" ecosystems, will enable us to understand the core functionsFunction" that define healthy microbiomesMicrobiome.
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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