Satisfies the advanced experience requirement for the Biology major.For thousands of years, humans have thought of themselves as single autonomous organisms. With new sequencing technologies and experiments, we are learning that the human microbiome and commensal organisms are an important aspect of host biology, and change the idea of who we really are. Recent data suggest that we are more than Homo sapiens, but a symbiotic-organism that is surrounded with trillions of microorganisms in all surfaces. Recent studies suggest that the human microbiome and commensal microbes have important roles inhuman health and disease. Indeed, the gut microbiota aid in normal digestion, metabolism of nutrients and drugs, and development of the gut and immune system. Reduced bacterial diversity, as well as alterations in the microbiota composition, have been associated not only with gastrointestinal disease, but also obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Direct evidence now suggests that transfer of the microbiome can play a role in host phenotypes, homeostasis, behavior, and disease pathogenesis. Using current scientific literature and reviews, we will investigate the role of the microbiome in human health and disease. Students will make short presentations of the papers, and the class will discuss the methodology and findings of the papers.
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