The gut microbiome

Microorganisms live in the human digestive system and affect our health — scientists are trying to work out how.

Despite evidence of the gut microbiome’s role in human health, researchers are still working out what shapes the community of microbes.

Bioengineer Michael Fischbach wants to find out everything he can about the short-chain fatty acids produced by microbes.

Scientists know that the microbiome has an effect on pharmaceuticals, and vice versa, but they are still trying to work out the various mechanisms involved.

Researchers are investigating how the community of microbes living in the gut might help people with multiple sclerosis, lupus and type 1 diabetes.

Researchers are hoping to understand whether the microbes in our guts have a role in the disorder.

Targeting the microbiome could hold the key to combating a range of malignant diseases.

Eran Segal explains why deep phenotyping of study volunteers could transform therapy development.

Modified bacteria and carefully formulated microbial communities could form the basis of new living treatments.

Peter J. Turnbaugh explains why scientists can’t tell you what to eat to prevent disease.

Researchers strive to understand how microbes affect health and disease.