Turning cooperative bacteria into probiotics for human health

Yolanda Sanz is in the Microbiome, Nutrition & Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Paterna-Valencia, Spain.

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The microbial communities in the human gut function as a bioreactor that breaks down nutrients (mainly complex indigestible carbohydrates) and liberates bioactive substances to drive microbe–host interactions and shape host health and disease. Bacteria inhabiting the gut also interact to increase their ability to survive as a team. Disentangling this complex, symbiotic relationship should provide opportunities to promote health. Writing in Nature, Khan et al.1 report efforts to harness a beneficial partnership between species of gut bacteria.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02407-w

Khan, M. T. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06378-w (2023).

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The author declares no competing interests.

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