![]() Wilmes, Paul ![]() in Current Opinion in Microbiology (2018) While animal models remain essential for inferring causality, they exhibit important limitations, which restrict the direct translation of findings into new approaches aimed at steering host–microbe ... [more ▼] While animal models remain essential for inferring causality, they exhibit important limitations, which restrict the direct translation of findings into new approaches aimed at steering host–microbe interactions for the improvement of human health. Different in vitro models have therefore been developed which incorporate human cell types and microbiota. By virtue of their intricate designs, these models result in human and microbial read-outs reflective of in vivo gut physiology, and present important alternatives to animal models. However, to allow systematic investigations of the interactions between gut microbiota and different human cell types and body systems, ever more complex cell assemblies are necessary which will culminate in the establishment of personalized in vitro models. Such models will allow the unravelling of human–microbe interdependencies and will open exciting new avenues for microbiome-tailored nutrition and drug development. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 139 (15 UL)![]() Wilmes, Paul ![]() in Current Opinion in Microbiology (2009), 12(3), 310-317 Molecular techniques are providing unprecedented insights into the organismal and functional make-up of natural microbial consortia. Apart from nucleic acid based approaches, community proteomics has the ... [more ▼] Molecular techniques are providing unprecedented insights into the organismal and functional make-up of natural microbial consortia. Apart from nucleic acid based approaches, community proteomics has the potential to provide a high-resolution representation of genotypic and phenotypic traits of distinct community members. With the recent availability of extensive genomic sequences from different microbial ecosystems, community proteomics has thus far been applied to activated sludge, acid mine drainage biofilms, freshwater and seawater, soil, symbiotic communities, and gut microbiota. Although these studies differ considerably in the depth of coverage of their respective protein complements, they highlight the power of community proteomics in providing a conclusive link between community composition, physilogy, function, interaction, ecology, and evolution. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 150 (7 UL) |
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