Comparative metabolomic analyses of the guts of healthy colonized versus germ-free mice helped map microbial metabolites across the various intestinal niches. The microbial origin and biochemical processes underlying several metabolites could be inferred, even in areas difficult to access, such as the small intestine.
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This is a summary of: Meier, K. H. U. et al. Metabolic landscape of the male mouse gut identifies different niches determined by microbial activities. Nat. Metab. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00802-1 (2023).
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Metabolomics identifies the intestinal geography of microbial metabolite production. Nat Metab 5, 922–923 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00805-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00805-y