Gut and oral microbiome

The gut and oral microbiomes represent the complex communities of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity. These ecosystems play a fundamental role in human health by aiding in the digestion of complex carbohydrates, synthesizing essential vitamins like B12 and K, and training the host immune system to distinguish between commensals and pathogens [1, 2]. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in these microbial populations, has been linked to a wide array of local and systemic conditions, ranging from periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease to metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases [3, 4]. Therapeutically, the microbiome is targeted through various interventions such as antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore a healthy microbial balance [5]. Emerging research also highlights the microbiome's influence on drug metabolism and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, making it a critical factor in personalized medicine [6].

Other names

Human microbiotaGastrointestinal microbiotaOral microbiotaCommensal floraMicrobial ecosystem

Modulation of microbial community composition and metabolic output, including the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and secondary bile acids, to restore homeostatic interactions with the host immune and metabolic systems [5, 6].