title: The gut microbiota: its anatomy and physiology over a lifetime.
abstract: The wide assemblage of microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract is an attractive field for overwhelming contemporary research in several aspects of the human health. Most recent molecular techniques, as the use of rRNAs or whole genome sequencing, definitely overcame traditional culture techniques in giving outline of the intestinal bacterial richness. Moreover, the crosstalk between host and intestinal microbes is considered a cornerstone affecting the host's metabolism, immunity, autoimmunity and autoinflammation and elaborate networks linked to several organs. The aim of this review is to summarize the broad spectrum of available pieces of information in this setting and to assess the current knowledge of the intestinal microbiota anatomy and physiology, in the perspective of future therapies modulating the gut microbial balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A. Gemelli Hospital, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy - giulia.gibiino@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gibiino
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A. Gemelli Hospital, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ianiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A. Gemelli Hospital, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A. Gemelli Hospital, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000235:genetics; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012313:RNA; D000073336:Whole Genome Sequencing
chemical_list: D012313:RNA