After two decades of scientific exploration, the human microbiome has emerged as a critical determinant of health and disease. Fueled by multi-omics technologies and machine learning, the field has advanced from correlation-based observations to establishing causal relationships. This article presents recent and compelling examples of microbiome-based treatments that are ripe for clinical adoption and discusses challenges and opportunities facing the field based on expert interviews conducted by the GMFH team.
Gut Microbiota Research & Practice is a section dedicated to promoting knowledge-sharing and debate among researchers, scientists and healthcare professionals. You will find a selection of discussions about articles from scientific literature as well as other content including interviews with experts, event reports, and special publications.
New findings in mice reveal a key role of intestinal dendritic cells in normalizing behavior after initial microbial colonization
26 Jun 2025by Premysl Bercik
While the gut microbiome differs between patients with IBS and healthy controls, the precise mechanisms underlying the initial phase of microbial-host interactions are not fully understood. New findings in mice identify a critical role of intestinal dendritic cells’ activation and migration in impacting brain neuroplasticity.
Emerging research suggests a complex interaction between the gut microbiome and endometriosis. Recent studies have begun to explore the impact of dietary interventions on endometriosis.
Clinical translation of microbiome research: takeaways from the 2025 GMFH Summit
16 May 2025by Andreu Prados
The 13th Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit took place 15-16 March 2025 in Washington, D.C., and it focused on advances in microbiome research to diagnose, prevent, and manage gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal conditions. Find out more about the most valuable takeaways from the event.
Microorganisms in the gut emerge as a potential determining factor for understanding the links between stress response and brain function. New findings highlight the role of gut microbiota as a central regulator of the stress-circadian axis.
New international consensus on microbiome testing in clinical practice
31 Mar 2025by GMFH Editing Team
Microbiome tests are becoming popular among the lay public and health professionals to diagnose and manage microbiome-related conditions. A new consensus involving scientists in basic and translational science updates the ins and outs of microbiome testing in clinical practice.
Best practices for designing better clinical trials of probiotics and prebiotics
27 Mar 2025by Andreu Prados
Diet can impact the efficacy of prebiotics and probiotics. A new perspective article in Nature Microbiology makes 10 recommendations for designing, conducting, and reporting clinical trials of prebiotics and probiotics that support best practices in microbiome research.
Carbohydrate malabsorption is an underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms in some patients. This article explores the impact of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) on gut function, the benefits and risks of a low-FODMAP diet, and how probiotics can help individuals with carbohydrate malabsorption.
Scientists uncover a new way by which gut microbes control cholesterol levels
24 Feb 2025by Mónica Quinzo
Gut microbiota aids in fat digestion by converting primary bile acids into unconjugated and secondary bile acids. Recent research in mice has uncovered an intricate host-microbiota partnership in regulating bile acid production, helping to prevent excessive accumulation and maintain metabolic balance.
This article features key discoveries in gut microbiome research from 2024 selected by the Gut Microbiota for Health editorial team. Research highlights include basic, translational, and clinical microbiome research with significant implications for current and future research in the field.
