Human Gut Microbiome (HGM)

The Human Gut Microbiome refers to the complex and dynamic community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract (NIH, 2023). This ecosystem plays a critical role in host physiology by aiding in the digestion of complex polysaccharides, synthesizing essential vitamins such as K and B12, and providing a protective barrier against pathogen colonization (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2022). Furthermore, the microbiome is a key regulator of the host immune system and metabolic health through the production of bioactive metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acid derivatives (Cell, 2020). Dysbiosis, characterized by a loss of microbial diversity or an overgrowth of pathobionts, is implicated in a wide array of conditions, including Clostridioides difficile infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and neurodegenerative disorders via the gut-brain axis (PubMed, 2021). Therapeutic interventions targeting this community have evolved from broad-spectrum antibiotics to more sophisticated approaches such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and FDA-approved live biotherapeutic products like Vowst and Rebyota, which are designed to restore ecological diversity and suppress pathogenic overgrowth (FDA, 2023). Unlike traditional drug targets that focus on a single protein, the gut microbiome represents a systemic target where the collective metabolic output and ecological interactions of the community determine the therapeutic effect (Science, 2019).

Other names

Gut microbiotaIntestinal floraHost and gut microbial communityGastrointestinal microbiomeHost-microbe ecosystem

Modulation of the taxonomic composition and functional diversity of the intestinal microbiota to restore ecological homeostasis, competitive exclusion of pathogens, and alteration of metabolite production (e.g., short-chain fatty acids) that interact with host signaling pathways.