Experimental models of the gut microbiome

Abstract The human gut contains a diverse microbiota with large potential to influence health. Given the difficulty to access the main sites of the gut, in vitro models have been developed to dynamically monitor microbial processes at the site of metabolic activity. These models range from simple ba...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology 2013-02, Vol.27 (1), p.115-126
Main Authors: Venema, Koen, van den Abbeele, Pieter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacteria - growth & development
Feces - microbiology
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology
Human gastrointestinal tract
Human subjects
Humans
Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology
In vitro model
Medical research
Metagenome - physiology
Microbiology
Microbiome
Models, Biological
Short-chain fatty acids
Studies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The human gut contains a diverse microbiota with large potential to influence health. Given the difficulty to access the main sites of the gut, in vitro models have been developed to dynamically monitor microbial processes at the site of metabolic activity. These models range from simple batch fermentations to complex multi-compartmental continuous systems. The latter include different models, focussing on similar but each also on distinct digestive parameters. The most intensively used include the three-stage continuous culture system, SHIME® , EnteroMix, Lacroix model and TIM-2. Especially after inclusion of surface-attached mucosal microbes (M-SHIME), such models have been shown representative of the in vivo situation in terms of microbial composition and activity. They have even been shown to maintain the interpersonal variation among different human fecal inocula. Novel developments, such as the incorporation of host cells, will further broaden the potential of in vitro models to unravel the importance of gut microbes for human health and disease.
ISSN:1521-6918
1532-1916
DOI:10.1016/j.bpg.2013.03.002