Commensal gut microbiota (CGM)

The commensal gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem comprising trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that reside within the human gastrointestinal tract (Source: NIH, 2023). This biological community performs essential functions such as the fermentation of dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the synthesis of vitamins K and B12, and the regulation of the host's immune system (Source: Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2022). Dysbiosis, or the disruption of this microbial balance, is implicated in a variety of conditions, most notably recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and metabolic disorders like obesity (Source: Science, 2021). As a therapeutic target, the microbiota is modulated through the administration of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs), prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore ecological stability and outcompete pathogens (Source: FDA, 2023). Recent pharmacological research also explores the gut-brain axis, where microbial metabolites influence neurological health and behavior (Source: Cell, 2020). Unlike traditional single-molecule targets, the gut microbiota represents a systemic meta-target that requires an ecological approach to drug development and clinical intervention.

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal floraGut microfloraCommensal bacteriaGastrointestinal microbiota

Restoration of microbial diversity and ecological balance to outcompete pathogens, production of bioactive metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and modulation of the host's innate and adaptive immune systems (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2022).