The concept of balance in microbiome research

• Published in: BioEssays 2024-08, Vol.46 (8), p.e2400050-n/a
• Main Author: O'Malley, Maureen A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; balance; conceptual analysis; dysbiosis; Ecosystem; homeostasis; Humans; microbiome research; Microbiomes; Microbiota - physiology; Qualitative analysis
• ISSN: 0265-9247; 1521-1878; 1521-1878
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400050

Microbiome research is changing how ecosystems, including animal bodies, are understood. In the case of humans, microbiome knowledge is transforming medical approaches and applications. However, the field is still young, and many conceptual and explanatory issues need resolving. These include how microbiome causality is understood, and how to conceptualize the role microbiomes have in the health status of their hosts and other ecosystems. A key concept that crops up in the medical microbiome literature is “balance.” A balanced microbiome is thought to produce health and an imbalanced one disease. Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of how balance is used in the microbiome literature, this “think again” essay critically analyses each of the several subconceptions of balance. As well as identifying problems with these uses, the essay suggests some starting points for filling this conceptual gap in microbiome research. The concept of balance in microbiome research. Balance is a key concept in microbiome research. The term has multiple meanings, and many are problematic or unclear. It is worth thinking again about how the concept of balance is used when talking about microbiomes and health. The image was created in Canva with Magic Media.