Response from Jeffrey I. Gordon et al.: Commensal bacteria make a difference.
The importance of the gut microbiota has been recognized since the days of Pasteur. What makes today different from yesterday, and tomorrow so exciting, is that we now have the tools to identify the molecular mechanisms that regulate assembly of the microbiota and determine how its components affect postnatal mammalian development and adult physiology.
Gordon
Jeffrey I
JI
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. jgordon@molecool.wustl.edu
Stappenbeck
Thaddeus S
TS
Hooper
Lora V
LV
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D004064:Digestive System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D019936:Probiotics