Short interesting review of this cutting edge topic for your December delectation!   

“Human-associated microbes have primarily been viewed through
the lens of a single species and its environment. Advances in culture independent
technologies have shown the enormous diversity, functional
capacity, and age-associated dynamics of the human microbiome .

A large number of diverse microbial species reside in the distal gastrointestinal
tract, and gut microbiota dysbiosis — imbalances in the composition and function
of these intestinal microbes — is associated with diseases ranging from localized
gastroenterologic disorders to neurologic, respiratory, metabolic, hepatic, and
cardiovascular illnesses. Much effort is currently concentrated on exploring potential
causality and related microbiota-mediated disease mechanisms, with the hope
that an improved understanding will fuel the conception and realization of novel
therapeutic and preventive strategies.”