Microbial communities and their role in human life

Jedan od kompleksnijih mikrobnih ekosistema na svijetu nalazi se upravo u nama samim. Mikrobioti su pronađeni na koži, u ustima, nosu, ušima, rodnici i probavnom traktu. Svaki čovjek ima zajednicu mikrobiota jedinstvenu po svom sastavu. Bitni su jer obavljaju funkcije koje čovjek nije uspio steći kroz evoluciju. Istraživanja koja proučavaju složenost ovih ekosistema donedavno su izvođena upotrebom tradicionalnih tehnika koje uključuju uzgajanje mikroba u kulturama. Procijenjeno je da se manje od 1% bakterija može uzgojiti standardnim kultivacijskim tehnikama. Metagenomika i metode koje se zasnivaju na 16S rRNA sekvenci revolucionirale su razumijevanje mikrobne raznolikosti. Mikrobioti doprinose prehrani domaćina povećavajući efikasnost dobivanja energije i sintetizirajući esencijalne vitamine. Utječu na proliferaciju i diferencijaciju epitelnih stanica, pH i razvoj imunološkog sustava. Stvaraju fizičku barijeru u obrani od patogena i proizvode antibakterijske peptide. Odmah nakon poroda svaki čovjek razvija složeni i aktivni crijevni ekosistem u prethodno sterilnom okolišu. Sastav nastale zajednice ovisi o vrsti poroda i prehrani u prvim mjesecima života. Dokazana je prednost normalnog poroda pred carskim rezom i prehrana majčinim mlijekom pred komercijalnom dječjom hranom. Kada se poremeti sastav mikrobiota, to može dovesti do različitih bolesti: IBD, autizam, alergije, astma, dijabetes tipa 2 i slično. Sastav mikrobiota može se poremetiti nepravilnom prehranom i uzimanjem antibiotika. Kompozicijom mikrobiota može se manipulirati pomoću probiotika, prebiotika, antibiotika i nekih lijekova. Na taj se način zajednica može vratiti u homeostazu i izliječiti bolesti koje nastupe kada se poremeti sastav mikrobiota.The human body possesses one of the most complex microbial ecosystems. Microbiota have been found in the skin, mouth, nose, ears, vagina and intestinal tract. Each person has an unique composition of microbial community. They are important because they perform functions that humans failed to get through evolution. Studies that examine the complexity of these ecosystems were recently performed using conventional techniques that involve breeding of microbes in culture. It is estimated that less than 1% of bacteria can breed standard cultivation techniques. Metagenomics and methods based on 16S rRNA sequences have revolutionized the understanding of microbial diversity. Microbiota contribute to host nutrition by increasing the efficiency of harvesting energy and synthesizing essential vitamins. They affect proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells, pH, and the development of the immune system. Create a physical barrier of defense against pathogens and produce antibacterial peptides. Immediately after birth each person develops a complex and active intestinal ecosystem in the previously sterile environment. Compositions are dependent on the type of birth and diet in the first months of life. Proven advantage of vaginal delivery is better than Cesarean section and that breast-feeding is better than commercial baby food. When the composition of the microbiota is disturbed, it can lead to various diseases: IBD, autism, allergies, asthma, type 2 diabetes, ect. Composition of the microbiota can be disrupted by inadequate diet and antibiotics. Composition of the microbiota can be manipulated using probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics and some drugs. In this way, communities can return to homeostasis