Microbial Ecology. Microbiomes, Viromes, and Biofilms

This book highlights the hidden world of microbiomes, viromes, and biofilms on and inside humans. Our bodies have microbiomes, which contain various bacterial communities, and viromes, which contain viruses. These invisible residents are vital to health and sickness. Infections often result from microbiome imbalances. Pathogenic bacteria can outcompete beneficial ones, causing gut dysbiosis and disease. Understanding this interaction allows probiotics to restore balance and fight infections. Microbes have a major impact on the gut-brain axis. Gut bacteria affect mood, behavior, and neurodegenerative illnesses by producing neurotransmitters and influencing brain development. The “diabesity” relationship to microbiome changes underscores its relevance in metabolic illnesses like diabetes and NAFLD. The microbiota can also affect cancer progression. Specific bacterial strains may promote tumor growth or prevent metastasis, enabling microbiome-based cancer treatments. Probiotics—live bacteria—have enormous potential. Beneficial strains can improve intestinal balance, fight infections, and treat diabetes and autoimmune conditions.

Fecal transplants or co-sleeping may modify microbial ecosystems and health effects. Microbiomes, viromes, and biofilms are complex, requiring advanced tools. The makeup, function, and interactions of these communities can be characterized using next-generation sequencing (NGS). As NGS technology advances, researchers explore this hidden world, offering a future where microbiome manipulation underpins customized therapy and preventive healthcare. This area has great potential for understanding health, improving well-being, and fighting diseases in innovative ways.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction of Microbiomes, Viromes and Biofilms

Murad Muhammad, Wen–Jun Li, Li Li, Yong–Hong Liu, Kashif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed

Microbiomes and Viromes in Infection

Shanmuga Sundar S., Kannan N., Devika R., Karma Gyurmey Dolma and Veeranoot Nissapatorn

The Gut-Brain Axis and the Human Microbiome

Chamma Gupta, Abhishek Byahut, Chandrali Deka, Arundhati Bag and Bidita Khandelwal

Diabetes Mellitus and the Microbiome

Helena P. Felgueiras

The Role of Microbiome in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Wesam Bahitham, Arwa Alghmdi, Elana Hakeem, Foad Sendi, Abdullah Boubsit, Eyad Alkhayat, Ibrahim Omer, Sharif Hala and Alexandre Rosado

Cancer and Microbiome

Ayman H. Farran, Hanaa S. Allehaibi and Alexandre S. Rosado

Microbiomes and Probiotics

Firasat Hussain, Shafeeq Ur Rehman, Muhammad Naveed Nawaz, Kashif Rahim, Ahmed Abdelmoneim, Kamal Niaz, Murad Muhammad and Wen–Jun Li

The Effect of Microbiome Exchange on Humans and Animals

Karma G. Dolma, Shanmuga Sundar S., Chamma Gupta and Veeranoot Nissapatorn

Unravelling Gut Microbiomes, Viromes, and Biofilm: Investigations in the Developing Next-generation Sequencing Era

Bhagwan Narayan Rekadwad, Narayan Dattatraya Totewad, Nanditha Pramod and Mangesh V. Suryavanshi

Index