Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Nature. 2012 Sep 13;489(7415):220-30. doi: 10.1038/nature11550.
Trillions of microbes inhabit the human intestine, forming a complex ecological community that influences normal physiology and susceptibility to disease through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions. Understanding the factors that underlie changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota will aid in the design of therapies that target it. This goal is formidable. The gut microbiota is immensely diverse, varies between individuals and can fluctuate over time - especially during disease and early development. Viewing the microbiota from an ecological perspective could provide insight into how to promote health by targeting this microbial community in clinical treatments.
数以万亿计的微生物栖息在人类肠道中,形成一个复杂的生态群落,通过其集体代谢活动和宿主相互作用,影响正常的生理机能和疾病易感性。了解影响肠道微生物群落组成和功能变化的因素将有助于设计针对该微生物群落的治疗方法。这是一个艰巨的目标。肠道微生物群极其多样化,在个体之间存在差异,并且随着时间的推移而波动——尤其是在疾病和早期发育期间。从生态角度来看待微生物群,可以深入了解如何通过在临床治疗中靶向这个微生物群落来促进健康。