Manipulating the Gut Microbiota: Methods and Challenges.

摘要: Eukaryotic organisms are colonized by rich and dynamic communities of microbes, both internally (e.g., in the gastrointestinal respiratory tracts) externally on skin external mucosal surfaces). The vast majority bacterial microbes reside lower (GI) tract, it is estimated that gut a healthy human home to some 100 trillion bacteria, roughly an order magnitude greater than number host somatic cells. development culture-independent methods characterize microbiota (GM) has spurred renewed interest its role health disease. Indeed, associations have been identified between various changes composition GM extensive list diseases, enteric systemic. Animal models provide means whereby causal relationships characteristic differences diseases or conditions can be formally tested using genetically identical animals highly controlled environments. Clearly, interactions with myriad environmental factors exceedingly complex, rare single microbial taxon associates with, much less causes, phenotype perfect sensitivity specificity. Moreover, while exact numbers subject debate, well recognized only minority bacteria successfully cultured ex vivo. Thus, perform studies investigating roles animal model phenotypes, researchers need clever techniques experimentally manipulate animals, several ingenious doing so developed, each providing own type information set advantages drawbacks. current review will focus manipulating research drawing attention would aid researcher selecting experimental approach, emphasis mice rats, primary species used evaluate contribution disease phenotype.