The Human Microbiota: How Microbial Communities Affect Health and Disease

“Overall, this book provides a concise overview of the human microbiota in and on different body sites, a bit too concise for me. It fulfils the intention to discuss many different body sites but in doing so neglects to get to the detailed description of the human microbiota, let alone to give a good overview of their role in health and disease.” (Beneficial Microbes, 1 March 2014)

“Having said that, I’m sure the book will be of interest to all those studying the effects of micro-organisms on the human body.” (Microbiology Today, 30 August 2013)

Unraveling the mysteries of the human microbiome

Addressing the latest findings on the microbes that colonize epithelial surfaces in the human body, The Human Microbiota presents a comprehensive review of the microbial diversity found in humans and the role it plays in human health.

After an introduction to the pivotal research efforts at the Human Microbiome Project, the book presents cutting-edge methods for studying the human microbiome and links particular microbial communities to various conditions and diseases. It explains in detail how to use animal models, cultivate microbes, and manipulate existing microbiota. Advice on the design of microbiome studies as well as the strengths and weaknesses of different methods is also included. A group of pioneers in microbial ecology contribute authoritative, state-of-the-art chapters on:

• Characterization and analysis techniques as well as mathematical approaches for describing microbial communities
• The different microbial populations found in the gut, the respiratory tract, the mouth, and the genital tract
• Lessons learned from animal models about microbial communities and immune response to the microbiota
• Novel approaches to cultivating human microbes in the laboratory, including their challenges and benefits
• The use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics to enhance human health

The Human Microbiota is an invaluable resource for microbiologists, microbial ecologists, physicians, infectious disease specialists, and anyone wishing to learn about the latest tools in molecular biology and what they reveal about this exciting, rapidly evolving field.