1、GUT MICROBIOME INSIGHT REPORT|1GUT MICROBIOMERecognizing the potential of the gut microbiomeCAS INSIGHTSTMGUT MICROBIOME INSIGHT REPORT|3The human body comprises an unthinkable 30 trillion human cells,which is overshadowed by the amount of resident bacterial cells,estimated at approximately 40 trill

2、ion.1 The impact of the microbiome on human physiology and pathology is extensive;it has been suggested to function as an essential,yet forgotten,organ.24 The gut microbiome alone is estimated to be more than 100 times larger than the human genome,containing 22 million microbial genes vs.22,000 huma

3、n genes.5,6 Substantial data suggest the gut microbiome plays a role in virtually all physiological processes in the human body,including metabolism and immune homeostasis.7,8 Over a century ago,the Russian biologist lie Metchnikoff advocated for exploiting the intestinal microbiome using host bacte

4、ria in yogurt,owing to enhanced health benefits.9 While Metchnikoffs hypothesis didnt gain traction,the popularity of the gut microbiome had grown substantially since the 2010s,when we witnessed a stream of significant developments in the field,leading to Forbes naming this period The Decade of the

5、Microbiome(Figure 1):10 2010:The first extensive catalog of human intestinal microbial genes based on studies on 124 individuals was published.11 2011:The National Institutes of Health initiated“The Human Microbiome Project”and published the sequences of 178 bacterial species.12,13 2012:The METAgeno

6、mics of the Human Intestinal Tract collaboration was funded by the European Commission.14The gut microbiome is now a popular target in the biotechnology industry owing to intensified interest in the physiological benefits.Using the CAS Content Collection,we have undertaken a tailored analysis to inv