Abstract

Based on molecular, genetic, epigenetic, biochemical and microbiological analyses it is increasingly possible to identify individual disease-related characteristics that define disease pathogenesis, disease disposition or prognosis as well as the efficacy of therapeutic strategies ('personalized medicine/precision medicine'). In this context, the global human microbiome project, aimed at deciphering the complete set of genes of the microbiota, i.e., the individual's complete microbial community, was established in 2007 and has meanwhile developed into a major field of biomedical research. In particular, the intestinal microbial community has turned out to play a major role in human health and disease. In this context, the following comment addresses novel insights into its contribution to the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Beyond IBD, the intestinal microbial community is involved in numerous other, common, non-gastrointestinal diseases, such as obesity/metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis as well as in health, in particular in immunity, making it one of the most dynamic current topics in biomedical research.

Authors and Affiliations