Gut microbiota composition and diversity

Gut microbiota composition and diversity refers to the vast and complex ecosystem of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract. This community is essential for maintaining host homeostasis by performing metabolic functions such as the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids and the synthesis of vitamins K and B12 (Cani, 2018, Gut). It also plays a pivotal role in the development and regulation of the host immune system, providing a barrier against pathogenic colonization (Lynch & Pedersen, 2016, NEJM). Alterations in the composition or a reduction in the diversity of this microbiota, known as dysbiosis, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and even neuropsychiatric disorders (Fan & Pedersen, 2021, Nature Reviews Microbiology). Therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiota, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, and prebiotics, aim to restore a healthy microbial balance to treat or prevent these conditions (Adak & Khan, 2019, Journal of Cellular Physiology). Modern pharmacological approaches also include the use of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) like SER-109, which are designed to provide specific beneficial bacterial consortia to displace pathogens like Clostridioides difficile. However, the high degree of inter-individual variability and the dynamic nature of the microbiome present significant challenges for the development of standardized microbial-based therapies.

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal floraGastrointestinal microbiotaGut microfloraIntestinal microbiome

Restoration of microbial diversity, competitive exclusion of pathogens, modulation of host-microbe metabolic pathways, and induction of regulatory T cells (Cani, 2018, Gut).