The Human Microbiome: Biomedical Implications and Birth of a Market - Overview

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Jan 29, 2015, 12:10 ET

DUBLIN, Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Research and Markets

(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kf53x9/_the_human) has announced the addition of the " The Human Microbiome: Biomedical Implications and Birth of a Market - Overview" report to their offering.

This report covers the evolution of microbiome research and its growth in the commercial market. Specific areas of study include microbial ecology, systems biology, diet, diagnostics, contributions in health and disease, and infectious disease.

Microbiota have become a center for discussion and investigation after research has unraveled the symbiotic relationship between humans and their microbial counterparts, and the impact of the delicate balance of specific microbiota on various diseases. Such diseases include diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBD). Understanding how microbiota act as communities, and thus is relation to disease, has been the topic of choice, known as microbial ecology, for several researchers.

It has been demonstrated that when in equilibrium with their environment, microbiota gain benefits from the host, which enables them to provide useful benefits themselves. However, when this balance is disrupted, the repercussions can have a negative impact on human health. For example, the use of antibiotics can lead to vaginal yeast infections in women. This is because antibiotics kill not only the build-up of the infectious bacteria, but also all the other bacteria around it that keeps the control of yeast in check. Destroying these bacteria leads to the overgrowth of yeast and thus yeast infections.

In addition to antibiotics disrupting the microbiome environment, diet is another factor that can pose as a problem. A diet high in carbohydrates can also cause yeast build-up because yeast feed on sugar. Diet can also create an imbalance in the microbiome environment and jeopardize the symbiotic relationship between the microbiota and the host.

A simple difference between consuming plant fats vs. animals fats has been demonstrated to have an effect on the abundance of certain types of bacteria in the gut over others, suggesting that these bacteria may be linked to weight loss and/or gain. In fact, researchers concluded there was a link between people who had animal-based dietary fats, bile acids, and irritable bowel diseases. Due to these findings, researchers are further investigating the relation between microbiota and the impact on various immune pathways, and the influence on obesity and diabetes.

In addition to covering several aspects of the microbiome, the report also includes the impact of this rising field on commercial aspects and product development.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Background and evolution
Basic microbiome research
Commercial activity in the microbiome space
Trends and conclusions

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

CHAPTER 2: Background and Evolution of Human Microbiome R&D

CHAPTER 3: Research on the Human Microbiome

CHAPTER 4: Commercial Aspects of Microbiome Research and Development

CHAPTER 5: Market Survey

CHAPTER 6: Trends and Conclusions

CHAPTER 7: Interview Transcripts

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