In the adult intestine, a total of about 1014 bacterial cells are present, which is ten times the number of human cells in the body7. Their combined genomes (known as the microbiome) contain more than 5 million genes, thus outnumbering the host’s genetic potential by two orders of magnitude2,8. This large arsenal of gene products provides a diverse range of biochemical and metabolic activities to complement host physiology. In fact, the metabolic capacity of the gut microbiota
equals that of the liver, and the intestinal microbiota can therefore be considered as an additional organ9. These bacteria are essential for several aspects of host biology. For example, they facilitate the metabolism of otherwise indigestible polysaccharides and produce essential vitamins; they are required for the development and differentiation of the host’s intestinal epithelium and immune
system; they confer protection against invasion by
opportunistic pathogens10; and they have a key role in
maintaining tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have
also revealed that the human microbiota influences
In the adult intestine, a total of about 1014 bacterial cells are present, which is ten times the number of human cells in the body7. Their combined genomes (known as the microbiome) contain more than 5 million genes, thus outnumbering the host’s genetic potential by two orders of magnitude2,8. This large arsenal of gene products provides a diverse range of biochemical and metabolic activities to complement host physiology. In fact, the metabolic capacity of the gut microbiotaequals that of the liver, and the intestinal microbiota can therefore be considered as an additional organ9. These bacteria are essential for several aspects of host biology. For example, they facilitate the metabolism of otherwise indigestible polysaccharides and produce essential vitamins; they are required for the development and differentiation of the host’s intestinal epithelium and immunesystem; they confer protection against invasion byopportunistic pathogens10; and they have a key role inmaintaining tissue homeostasis. Recent studies havealso revealed that the human microbiota influences
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