by Takashi Matsumoto (Editor), Yoshio Yamaoka (Editor)
The human microbiota consists of a
diverse collection of microbes including bacteria, archaea, viruses and
eukaryotes. These organisms carry out a variety of functions that are
vital to human health and well-being. One example is the prevention of
bacterial infections by commensal bacterial in the gut. In recent years
research has demonstrated a link between imbalances in the gut
microbiota in early life and the development of obesity and allergic
diseases in later life. The mechanisms of this and how diet, life-style
factors and ageing influence the composition and activity of human
microbiota are other areas of active research. The application of new
technologies has revolutionised research initiatives providing new
insights into the dynamics of these complex microbial communities and
their role in health and disease. In this timely book expert
international authors review selected hot-topics in this area to provide
an up-to-date overview. Topics covered include: effect of ageing and
diet; dysbiosis as an environmental factor; beneficial effects of
probiotics on infants and children with dysbiosis; metaproteomics of the
gut microbiota; gut microbiome and neuro development; the link between
oral health and neurological disease; and the influence of the gut
microbiome composition on GI tract cancer. The book is essential reading
for everyone working with human microbiota, probiotics and prebiotics
from the PhD student to the experienced scientist.
