The human microbiome: History and future

Abstract

Microorganisms, or the microbiota, residing in and on the human body have been a scientific curiosity for centuries. Today, although our understanding of the human microbiome is still unfolding, there can be little doubt that the microbiome plays an important role in human health and disease. The interactions between the microbiome and host immune system affect both human health and disease. For example, the composition of the microbiota at one week of life has been associated with the frequency and number of respiratory infections over the first year of life. This brief review indicates that more studies are required using current and new technologies to develop a better understanding of the role the human microbiome plays in human health.