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Microbes & Immunity Probiotics from ancient wisdom to modern days

(d) Lorenzo Morelli: 39 microbiota components and investigate the association
• 1980s – present: Specializes in the characterization between microbial abundances and host genetic variations.
and application of probiotic strains, particularly The expanded dataset enabled researchers to refine
in infant health heritability estimates for previously identified microbial
• Ongoing: Continues to research and develop new taxa. In addition, it uncovered novel associations between
probiotic products for various health needs. heritable microbes and host genes involved in diet,
(e) Danisco: immunity, and other key biological processes. Notably,
• 1990s – present: A global bioscience company the study demonstrated that host genetics can influence
with a strong focus on probiotic research and the gut microbiome through shaping dietary preferences,
development which are heritable traits. These findings emphasize the
• Ongoing: Danisco is now part of DuPont and crucial role of host genetics in shaping the gut microbial
continues to invest in research and innovation in landscape. In addition, they highlight the importance of
the field of probiotics, contributing to new product considering individual genetic variations when developing
development and scientific advancements. personalized probiotic interventions.

4. Human microbiome project (HMP) 6. Potential applications of probiotics
The HMP was a groundbreaking research initiative The contribution of WebMD referred to only two of the
launched by the USA National Institutes of Health most common probiotics. Probiotics have been investigated
in 2007. Its primary goal was to characterize the for a much wider range of potential applications in human
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microbial communities inhabiting the human body, health, including (but not limited to):
including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea. Through • Gastrointestinal disorders: Probiotics have been
comprehensive sampling and analysis of microbial DNA, shown to be effective in preventing and treating
the HMP generated a wealth of data on the composition diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and
and function of the human microbiome across various traveler’s diarrhea. 42-44
body sites, including the gut, skin, oral cavity, and • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Probiotics may be
respiratory tract. This project significantly advanced beneficial in managing IBD, such as ulcerative colitis
our understanding of the complex interplay between and Crohn’s disease. 45
human health and the microbial world, providing a • Allergic diseases: Probiotics may help to prevent and
crucial foundation for the field of microbiome research. treat allergies, such as eczema and asthma. 46
The mention of HMP here is relevant to underscore the • Metabolic disorders: Probiotics are being investigated
profound impact of the human microbiome on human for their potential role in managing obesity, diabetes,
health and disease.
and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 47,48
5. The influence of genetics on the The practice of matching a strain of probiotics for a
gut microbiome: Insights from the particular disorder condition is vast and well beyond
United Kingdom Twins study the scope of this article. Nevertheless, we present a table
of reported successes for given maladies with selected
The United Kingdom Twins Study provides invaluable probiotics in Table 2. It should be noted that other
insights into the interplay between genetics and the combinations of probiotics may also work successfully for
gut microbiome. By examining the microbiome of the particular condition.
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monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins,
this study offers a unique opportunity to disentangle the Table 2. Successful matches of probiotics and maladies –
relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors gastrointestinal disorders
to the composition and function of the gut microbiota.
The findings of this study are highly relevant to this Condition Probiotics
review, as they emphasize the importance of considering Antibiotic-associated diarrhea 44 Saccharomyces boulardii
individual genetic variations and their influence on the General digestive discomfort 49 Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
gut microbiome when developing personalized probiotic Irritable bowel S. boulardii
interventions. syndrome+diarrhea 50
This study analyzed the gut microbiomes of 2,731 Irritable bowel 51 Bifidobacterium lactis
individuals, including monozygotic and dizygotic syndrome+constipation
twins. It aimed to quantify the heritability of various gut Leaky gut 52 Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 37 doi: 10.36922/mi.6424