Promises and Prospects of Microbiome Studies

Maria C. Rivera, Jacques Izard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing has transformed genomics and metagenomics. It has contributed to expand our understanding of the complex microbial ecosystems, composed of Archaea, bacteria, viruses, and fungi, populating every habitat on the planet, including the human body. These communities are the metabolic engines driving almost every biochemical reaction on earth. In humans, they provide the enzymatic capability controlling the host physiology. In the next decades, metagenomics will be instrumental in increasing our understanding of the evolution of these complex communities, their functions, and the processes controlling their activities. The application of metagenomics to the human microbiome promises to increase our understanding of the role of the host-microbiome interactions in health, their association with disease state, and the potential to develop therapeutic interventions based on the manipulation of those interactions. This deeper understanding is critical for human survival and the health of the planet.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMetagenomics for Microbiology
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages145-159
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780124105089
ISBN (Print)9780124104723
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biological network
  • Crowdsourced research
  • Ethics
  • Therapeutics
  • Transplants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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