Understanding microbiomes in the human body
The human body is a beautiful network of communication consisting of organs, tissues, cells and communities of microbes living in conjunction. The human microbiome can promote or deteriorate metabolic, mental or physiological health, and demystifying these microbial communities has become a priority in modern research. But human microbiome research is complex. Each environment in the body is unique, and material isolated from these samples sites should remain representative, regardless of the challenges presented by the bacteria, fungi, viruses or archaea contained within. This is why we have a dedicated microbiome team developing kits, research tools and assays that are sensitive, reliable and easy to use. Learn more about these and the microbiome researchers that use them below.
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What is the human microbiome?
Microorganisms (such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses and eukaryotes) that live in communities on or in the human body are collectively called the human microbiome. These microbes, which live in a plethora of tissues, regions or fluids of the human body, can be beneficial or harmful depending on their composition.
What role does the human gut microbiome play in health and disease?
The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in human health and disease and is essential for human development, immunity and nutrition. Often referred to as the microbiota-gut-brain-axis, the underlying molecular mechanisms that comprise the link between the gut microbiome and its effect on our brain and behaviour are slowly being revealed. The disturbance of the gut microbiome homeostasis has been associated with various pathological conditions, both systemic (obesity, diabetes, cancer and atopy) and gut-related (irritable bowel syndrome IBS, inflammatory bowel disease IBD).