title: Establishment of intestinal bacteriology.
abstract: Research on intestinal bacteria began around the end of the 19th century. During the last 5 decades of the 20th century, research on the intestinal microbiota made rapid progress. At first, in my work, I first developed a method of comprehensive analysis of the intestinal microbiota, and then I established classification and identification methods for intestinal anaerobes. Using these methods I discovered a number of ecological rules governing the intestinal microbiota and the role of the intestinl microbiota in health and disease. Moreover, using germfree animals, it was proven that the intestinal microbiota has a role in carcinogenesis and aging in the host. Thus, a new interdisciplinary field, "intestinal bacteriology" was established.
authors.affiliation: Emeritus Professor of The University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomotari
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsuoka
keywords: functional foods; intestinal bacteria; intestinal bacteriology; intestinal microbiota